Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

One issue has dominated the Order of Business today, which was the resignation yesterday of the former Minister, Deputy Alan Shatter. We also had the announcement as we were sitting this morning of the appointment of Deputy Frances Fitzgerald as Minister for Justice and Equality, the appointment of Deputy Charlie Flanagan as Minister for Children and Youth Affairs and the moving of the defence portfolio to the Taoiseach. As others have stated I very much welcome the separation of the justice and defence portfolios and the appointments of Deputies Frances Fitzgerald and Charlie Flanagan. As other colleagues stated they have strong track records. Many of us who served with the Minister, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, in this House when she was leader of the Opposition here were very impressed by her and are impressed by her work as Minister for Children and Youth Affairs.

With regard to the former Minister, Deputy Alan Shatter, almost everyone who spoke paid tribute in some form, even those who stated they disagreed with him, to his outstanding record of accomplishment, his enormous appetite for work and the reform agenda he was in the process of pushing through. He has left a strong legacy after three years of office in terms of the reform of personal insolvency law, the legal profession, sexual offences and criminal legislation generally, particularly landmark legislation on community sanctions which are being debated at pre-legislative stage in committee. His commitment to equality has been commented on as was his commitment to family law reform, his piloting of the child and family relationships Bill which the committee is also dealing with, and his commitment to immigration reform. He has done a huge amount of work which we all hope will be continued by his successor, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald.

As many Senators pointed out he was a very regular attender in the Seanad and commenced much justice legislation here. I am sure we all hope the Minister, Deputy Fitzgerald, will do the same. He always listened and engaged in debate. Senator Quinn commented in particular on this. Even where he disagreed on points he would engage and debate them. He often accepted amendments from many of us, such as from Senators van Turnhout. We must pay tribute to his work while we congratulate his successor.

In the Dáil this morning on behalf of the Labour Party the Minister, Deputy Quinn, praised the record of the former Minister, Deputy Shatter, and his tenacity and determination to change Ireland for the better. Having stated this we all acknowledge, as Senator O'Keeffe and others stated, that his resignation shows a recognition of the need for accountability in government and also shows a respect for whistleblowers and this is important.

Senator Mooney objected to the Order of Business before the House and Senator van Turnhout stated she will oppose it. As I stated when introducing the business, it is not the business we would have wanted.