Before we come to Question Time, I will call the Taoiseach who I understand wants to make an announcement.
Ministerial Appointments: Announcement by Taoiseach.
I wish to formally announce for the information of the Dáil that, having informed the President that Dáil Éireann had approved my nomination of Deputy Frank Fahey to be a member of the Government, the President on Thursday, 27 January 2000, appointed him accordingly. On 27 January 2000, I assigned the Department of Foreign Affairs to Deputy Brian Cowen, the Department of Health and Children to Deputy Micheál Martin, the Department of Education and Science to Deputy Michael Woods, and the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources to Deputy Frank Fahey.
I accepted the resignation of Deputy Chris Flood as a Minister of State on Wednesday, 26 January 2000. Yesterday, the Government appointed Deputy Eoin Ryan as Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation, with special responsibility for local development. He will also be responsible for the national drugs strategy team. Deputy Mary Hanafin has been appointed Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, and the Department of Education and Science, with special responsibility for children.