Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Perish the thought that he would ever be in that position.I recall the famous Cabinet reshuffle in which one Minister, Gemma Hussey, was to move to the European affairs Ministry and Barry Desmond, the former Labour Party Minister, was to move out of his Department. There was a complete hiding-under-the-desk job and doors were locked. I hope we will not go down that road. Senator McDowell is right, though, that Europe is becoming more and more central to what we do. We have a very effective Minister of State with responsibility for European affairs in Deputy McEntee and a very competent and very positive Minister in the Tánaiste, Deputy Coveney, but it is important we give consideration to what Senator McDowell said.

Senators Byrne and Gavan raised the issue of the EPA licensing in Limerick. It is worrying, and I welcome their comments.

Senator Gavan also raised the important matter of my-----