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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 13 Dec 1979

Vol. 317 No. 9

Appointment of Ministers of State.

I wish to inform the House of the Government's decision to appoint ten Ministers of State. Before giving an indication of the Members to be appointed and of the Departments to which they will be assigned, I want to mention that it is the intention of the Government to seek statutory authority to appoint five additional Ministers of State.

(Interruptions.)

I understand that on previous occasions when the relevant legislation was going through members of the Opposition Parties indicated that it was their view that the Government should not have confined themselves to appointing ten Ministers of State. It is clear at present that, because of the expansion of work in the various Government Departments and because of the intense increase in the demands made on Ministers on the domestic scene, and especially because of the demands made on Ministers in regard to attendances at EEC meetings, additional Ministers of State are required. However, I think we can discuss that situation when we come before the House with the legislation when the Dáil resumes.

(Interruptions.)

A Cheann Comhairle, b'áil liom cead a chur in iúl, mar eolas don Dáil, go bhfuil an Rialtas tar éis na Teachtai seo a leanas a cheapadh inniu mar Airí Stáit mar a leanas:

A Cheann Comhairle, I beg leave to state, for the information of the Dáil that, the Government today appointed the following Deputies to be Ministers of State, as follows:

and

Seán Ó Mórdha, Aire Stáit ag Roinn an Taoisigh agus ag an Roinn Cosanta,

(Seán Moore, Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach and at the Department of Defence).

Seán Ó Fathaigh, Aire Stáit ag an Roinn Comhshaoil,

(John Fahey, Minister of State at the Department of the Environment),

Séamus Ó Tonnaí, Aire Stáit ag an Roinn Oideachais,

(Jim Tunney, Minister of State at the Department of Education),

Tomás Ó hEodhusa, Aire Stáit ag an Roinn Talmhaíochta,

(Thomas Hussey, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture),

Rádhulf de Búrca, Aire Stáit ag an Roinn Tionscail, Tráchtála agus Fuinnimh,

(Raphael P. Burke, Minister of State at the Department of Industry, Commerce and Energy),

Lorcán Ó hAillín, Aire Stáit ag an Roinn Talmhaiochta,

(Lorcan Allen, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture),

Gearóid Ó Conghaile, Aire Stáit ag an Roinn Comhshaoil,

(Gerard Connolly, Minister of State at the Department of the Environment),

Tomás Mac Alastraim, Aire Stáit ag an Roinn Airgeadais,

(Thomas McEllistrim, Minister of State at the Department of Finance),

Seán Mac Giolla Laoghaire, Aire Stáit ag an Roinn Saothair agus ag Roinn na Seirbhíse Poiblí,

(Seán Calleary, Minister of State at the Department of Labour and at the Department of the Public Service),

agus

(and)

Marcus Mac Giollaléith, Aire Stáit ag an Roinn Poist agus Telegrafa,

(Mark Killilea, Minister of State at the Department of Posts and Telegraphs).

The House will note that, in the case of the Departments of the Environment and of Agriculture, the Government are allocating two Ministers of State to these Departments because of the enormous volume of work involved in both of them.

Bob-a-job.

On a point of order, first of all, I would like to protest mildly about the disorderly manner in which business is being run. One recognises a certain confusion at the stage when there is a change of Government. But the agreement which was made—and I have it I think in the handwriting of the Government Chief Whip—was that these announcements would be made this evening at 8 o'clock. The notice we received of a change of plan in this was at 3.26 p.m., four minutes before 3.30 p.m. I hope that the arrangements for order in this House will be rather better made and adhered to, and that reasonable notice will be given of changes in future. I understand the Taoiseach's desire not to withhold information longer than need be. However, I do think that, when arrangements are made which are to be changed, some reasonable notice should be given. It might very well have been the case that I and others would not have been here. Four minutes notice of a change of that kind is not sufficient.

I accept the point made by the Leader of the Opposition and I apologise for the manner in which, unfortunately, business had to be conducted today. I did not understand that the Leader of the Opposition was left to such very short notice, but perhaps he would accept that I was anxious to inform the House as quickly as possible of these appointments. Also, in view of the new arrangements about the debate later on this evening, perhaps it is helpful to the Leader of the Opposition to have this information in plenty of time so that, if he wishes to refer to it in his speech this evening, he will be able to do so.

I accept what the Taoiseach has said, though it would not take very long for me to think what to say about the appointments.

May I make a brief comment?

We cannot have any debate at this stage on an announcement.

I am not seeking to have a debate at this stage. I am seeking permission to make a brief comment on the statement made by the Taoiseach. That courtesy had already been afforded the Leader of the Fine Gael Party. Am I to be denied it?

The Leader of Fine Gael asked to make a point of order.

I will make a point of order, too.

The Chair will judge.

The Taoiseach, in announcing the Ministers of State, did not conform to the agreement arrived at but I accept the explanation he has given. I do not think the timing is a matter of major concern. But I do think it is a matter of major concern that he indicated that the Government have under consideration the appointment of five new Ministers of State.

That is a matter that will arise in time.

It is a matter of considerable concern in the circumstances in which it is being done.

The Deputy will have an opportunity of referring to it.

In my opinion it is a very good indication of the type of Government we can expect under the present Taoiseach. This is not being done in the interests of the country. It is being done in the interests of political pay-off, to try to keep quiet the very divided party the Taoiseach now has behind him. I do not think we can sit silent if public offices and public funds are to be made available to pay off political debts over the last number of years.

(Interruptions.)

Order, please. I am calling on Deputy Collins to resume.

A Cheann Comhairle, I think the appointment of Ministers of State——

Order, please. I told the Deputy we cannot have a debate on this. Out of courtesy I allowed the Deputy to make a comment; he is not going to be allowed make a speech.

I am telling the Chair that this will be well aired in this House.

The Deputy will please accept the ruling of the Chair. Deputy Collins——

On a point of order, will the Taoiseach indicate to us when some of the newly-appointed Ministers will be making their maiden speeches, some of those who have been here for years?

(Interruptions.)

Order, please.

We never thought the gravy train would roll so early.

Would Deputy Collins please resume?

Will we know their faces when they get up to speak? Will the Chair recognise some of the new Ministers when they get up to speak?

Democracy is leaving the country.

Might I be permitted to make one very brief comment on the comment of Deputy Cluskey, that is——

If the Taoiseach is going to comment, I am going to insist on my right to comment.

The Chair has already issued his ruling; we are not going to have a debate on this.

I gather I am not allowed to comment.

It is an exhibition of Tammany Hall politics.

Deputy Collins.

The Taoiseach was offering.

The Ceann Comhairle says I am not permitted.

Have the Mafia come back?

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