Seanad Éireann debate -
Thursday, 29 Oct 1981

Vol. 96 No. 5

Appointment of Minister and Assignment of Department.

An Cathaoirleach

Tá orm a chur in iúl don Teach go bhfuarthas litir dar dáta 21 Deireadh Fómhair, 1981 ó Rúnaí an Rialtais maidir le Séamus Ó Dúbhaigh a cheapadh mar chomalta den Rialtas agus sannadh na Roinne Gnóthaí Eachtracha dó.

Clófar an litir i gCinn Lae an Tí agus i dTuairisc Oifigiúil na nDíospóireachtaí.

I have to inform the House that a letter dated 21 October, 1981 has been received from the Secretary to the Government regarding the appointment of James Dooge as a Member of the Government and the assignment to him of the Department of Foreign Affairs.

The letter will be printed in the Journal of the House and in the Official Report of the Debates.

Uimhir Thagartha	ROINN AN TAOISIGH
Ref. No. S.22083	Department of the Taoiseach
	BAILE ÁTHA CLIATH, 2.
	Dublin, 2.

21 Deireadh Fómhair 1981.

Cléireach an tSeanaid

Tá orm a chur in iúl duit go bhfuil

(1) an tUachtarán, ar ainmniú an Taoisigh, le comhaontú Dháil Éireann roimh ré, tar éis

Séamus Ó Dúbhaigh

(James Dooge),

comhalta de Sheanad Éireann, a cheapadh inniu, de bhun Airteagal 13.1.2º den Bhunreacht, mar chomhalta den Rialtas; agus

(2) an Taoiseach, i bhfeidhmiú na gcumhachtaí a thugtar dó le halt 4 den Acht Airí agus Rúnaithe (Leasú), 1946, inniu tar éis sannadh na Roinne Gnóthaí Eachtracha do

Sheán Ó Ceallaigh

(John Kelly)

a fhorcheannadh agus an Roinn sin a shannadh do Shéamus Ó Dúbhaigh.

Dermot Nally

Rúnaí an Rialtais

An Cathaoirleach

I should like again to wish the Senator success in his new role.

Mrs. G. Hussey

I should like on behalf of us all to congratulate Senator Dooge on his appointment to the Government. Not only is it constitutionally correct that Members of this House can or should be Cabinet members but it is a positive honour to all Senators that one of our Members should be so elevated. I am sure I speak for all of us when I say that we wish him well in his very demanding position.

Mr. W. Ryan

I too should like to be associated with Senator Hussey in congratulating Senator Dooge on his appointment as Minister. It is a great privilege for this House that we now have a Member of this House in the Cabinet. It is not the first time that this has happened. I have known Senator Dooge for many years. I served with him when he was here as Cathaoirleach. If he is as good and fair as a Minister as he was as Cathaoirleach, we need have no worries.

Mr. Ferris

I join with the Leader of the House in congratulating our esteemed colleague, Senator Dooge, on his elevation to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I served with him when he was Cathaoirleach of this House and I have no doubt whatsoever that he will make a most excellent Minister for Foreign Affairs. As Minister-designate he performed extremely well and I have no worries for the future of that Department.

Mrs. McGuinness

I join in the welcome for the appointment of Senator Dooge as Minister for Foreign Affairs. I had not, like other Members here, the privilege of serving with him when he was Cathaoirleach of this House but I have always heard he was one of the best to hold that office. Certainly to judge by the one speech he has made in this House since we assembled, we will be worthily represented by him and I feel sure that he will be most successful as a Minister.