Mary White (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am highlighting the skill shown by the Minister in bringing together the various Departments and individuals. One can be sure the legislation met resistance among the bureaucrats. While not all of them resist, as someone who has observed government for many years, I am aware of the natural propensity of bureaucrats not to act.

I tabled amendments to legislation on the city and enterprise boards which were rejected out of hand. No one spoke to me about them. The only comment I received was that they would give rise to a cost for the Exchequer, which was absolute rubbish. I proposed that people volunteer with the enterprise boards. The bureaucracy reacts to changes and amendments in a rash manner and I will no longer allow that to happen.

On the day of his mother's death, the former Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, travelled to the North to bring the peace process to a conclusion. Last Friday, I attended a very sad meeting at NUI Maynooth with former loyalist prisoners. It was heart-breaking to hear about the type of warring that is taking place on the ground, which threatens the sustainability of the peace process. I commend the former leaders of the Fianna Fáil Party on bringing the Good Friday Agreement to its conclusion. The Minister's mother and father would be proud of her today. I wish her further success. Perhaps she will one day become the leader of the Fine Gael Party.