New Government will deliver on radical and reforming programme

Posted on March 09, 2011 at 07:22 PM

Today marks the beginning of a new era in Irish politics with the opening of the 31st Dáil.

Among the new Ministers being appointed today are Eamon Gilmore TD - Tanaiste and Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade; Ruairí Quinn TD -Department of Education & Skills; Brendan Howlin TD - Department of Public Expenditure & Reform; Joan Burton TD - Department of Social Protection; Pat Rabbitte TD - Department of Communications, Energy & Natural Resources and Willie Penrose TD as Minister of State attending the Government and Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community & Local Government with special responsibility for Housing and Planning.

EDIT: March 10th to include Labour's new Ministers' of State.

Willie Penrose TD - Housing & Planning - Department of Environment, Community & Local Government; Roisin Shortall TD - Primary Care - Department of Health; Jan O'Sullivan TD - Trade & Development - Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade; Kathleen Lynch TD - Disability, Equality & Mental Health - Department of Health & Department of Justice, Equality & Defence; Sean Sherlock TD - Research & Innovation - Department of Enterprise, Jobs & Innovation and Department of Education & Skills and Alan Kelly TD - Public & Commuter Transport - Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport

In addition to the appointments of our new Ministers, Eamon Gilmore said he was personally deeply proud that Labour today nominated the first woman to hold the position of Attorney General, Marie Whelan, S.C.

Addressing the House as Tanasite elect the Labour Leader Eamon Gilmore said: "the composition of this Dáil is unlike any seen since the 1920s. And the Labour Party's strength in the 31st Dáil is greater than at any time before.

"Labour has made many gains, of which I am deeply proud, and elected many new Deputies, of whom I am proud. But with these gains come responsibilities."

Eamon went on to say that much hope is resting with the Government and while it may be daunting that hope is never a burden.

"We must succeed for the people who are at risk of losing their homes.

We must succeed for those who have lost their jobs

We must succeed for the people we met on the doorsteps whose children have left for other shores, and who fear that their grandchildren will be strangers."

He concluded saying the Government has much to do and will be open to hearing the proposals and ideas, not just of Government parties but of every TD elected to the House.

You can read Eamon's full speech in our press centre and view his contribution in the accompanying video.

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