Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 22 Dec 1992

Vol. 425 No. 4

Nomination to EC Commission.

The Taoiseach

I wish to announce, a Cheann Comhairle, for the information of the House, that the Government has decided to nominate the Minister for Justice and Minister for Industry and Commerce, Mr. Pádraig Flynn, TD to be a member of the Commission of the European Communities which is to take up office on 5 January next.

The Minister has been appointed as Commissioner for Social Affairs and Employment. In addition he will be responsible for relations with the Economic and Social Committee and for matters relating to immigration, judicial and internal affairs. I am sure the House extends its best wishes to him and that he will have every success in that portfolio.

An Ceann Comhairle

The announcement is merely for the information of the House and there cannot be a debate or statements by other Members.

Mr. J. Bruton

Sir, this is an important announcement and it would be fitting to say something.

(Interruptions.)

Mr. J. Bruton

With the permission of the House, I should like to wish Deputy Flynn—

An Ceann Comhairle

The House will have an opportunity to discuss this matter——

Mr. J. Bruton

It will not be a discussion, I just want to make a few routine valedictory remarks.

An Ceann Comhairle

On that basis I shall make an exception.

Mr. J. Bruton

On my behalf, and on behalf of my party, we wish Deputy Flynn well in his task. He obviously has a very important portfolio and an important job to do. I have no doubt that he has the ability to do the job and that he will have the good wishes of all sides of the House in performing the task which he sought and obtained.

Mr. Spring

In line with the tradition in this House I extend the good wishes of the Labour Party to Deputy Flynn. Obviously, his role in the Commission is a very important function for this country and I wish him well in his task.

Mr. J. Mitchell

Does the Deputy really mean it?

Mr. O'Malley

I join in wishing Deputy Flynn well in the post to which he has now been appointed. However, in the present circumstances it might well have been appropriate to have had consultations with all the parties on this appointment. Nonetheless, Deputy Flynn has been appointed to an important portfolio within the Commission, one in which I am sure he will shine. I hope, for the sake of the Community and this country, that he will devote all his talents to that task.

Proinsias De Rossa

I have made no secret of my views in relation to the stances taken by Deputy Flynn, now a Commissioner. Nevertheless, I wish him well in the job he has managed to get in the Commission and I hope he will do it well. I also hope that his experience in Europe will help to moderate some of his more outlandish views, in relation to Irish women in particular, and that he will carry out his mandate effectively and to the benefit not only of this country but of the people of Europe generally.

Mr. Kenny

I should like to congratulate Deputy Flynn on his appointment as Commissioner for Social Affairs. As a resident of the same town and as a parliamentary colleague for the last 15 years, he and I have soldiered together on numerous colourful occasions——

Mr. Barry

But never in step.

Mr. Kenny

I express the hope for the people of the west and the rest of the country that he will live up to his colourful reputation in Europe, and will work for the good of our young people. Deputy Flynn leaves at an important time in the development of his own party and in the development of politics in general in this country. I should like to take this opportunity, not in sorrow, to wish him bon voyage. I hope he will do a good job for Ireland.

Mr. Hughes

I did not anticipate making my maiden speech today but I must join previous speakers in wishing my ex-constituency colleague, Deputy Flynn, every good wish on his new appointment. The constituency is 137 miles long, from north Mayo to within seven miles of Galway city, and I have had the pleasure of working with Deputy Flynn during this and previous campaigns. I know him as a man of strong personality, great depth of character. I am confident that he will do us proud representing us and the EC in Europe. I hope his will be a strong spending portfolio because he well knows Ireland's needs. I have no doubt that he will acquit himself well, as an Irish man, and will represent us very well in his allocated portfolio. As a colleague I wish him every success in the future.