Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I hope the Taoiseach elect's immediate predecessor as Tánaiste will provide a better quality of answers to written questions than Deputies on all sides of the House have done in recent years. I know the Taoiseach elect has an interest in reforming this Chamber and the way this House goes about its business, and I would like to see evidence of that.

I congratulate Deputy Cowen on his nomination for the position of Taoiseach. This party will continue to stand by the country, as the leaders of this party have done in the past. We will support issues we believe are in the national interest and that of our people. The Taoiseach elect should understand I am always encouraged by the enthusiasm of young people, irrespective of their backgrounds. I am encouraged by their endeavour and commitment. Given the responsibility the Taoiseach elect will carry on his shoulders, he also has an enormous opportunity. This is a challenge which I know the Taoiseach elect will not shirk. There is an opportunity here to lead decisively, inspire young people and enthuse our older folk in convincing them that politics really does matter. As a small country having travelled so far in a short time, we have the capacity to be world leaders in many areas of life. We can lead by example and Deputy Cowen can start that in his role of Taoiseach from this evening.

With regard to the issues concerning our country, we will not be found wanting where we believe issues should be supported. Where the Government — all these brilliant people waiting and doting on the Taoiseach elect's every syllable for the past month, hoping to come back in changed suits after being given their seals of office — falls down on implementing the programme for Government, this party will pursue it relentlessly in this House. I am sure the Labour Party will agree. Ministers will not sleep easily for the next four years if they do not implement the programmes set out by Government or if they change from that. We will oppose and expose while promoting our own viewpoint strongly and vociferously in this Chamber, where I believe it really matters.

The Taoiseach elect is now and has been for some time the guardian of the people's money. He assumed the captaincy of the team for Ireland and he should use it wisely. He should use this opportunity wisely. He should not — I believe he will not — shirk his responsibilities. It was Ronald Reagan who said politics is not a bad profession. If one succeeds, there are great rewards and if one ends up in disgrace, one can always write a book. I do not believe this will happen to the Taoiseach elect and he would not want to write the book himself. I hope he leads by example and that his Government, when it returns this evening, will have an agenda that is clear, decisive and in the country's interest. The complacency and veneer that have obtained in recent years will not stand us in good stead in the future.

I began by saying that the motto of Offaly, the faithful county, is esto fidelis. Perhaps the Tánaiste, Deputy Cowen, might extend it to esto fidelis patria tua. Congratulations.

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