Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am glad I was here for the Minister of State's freagra earlier. I do not think he has any answers really. He is telling us that it came from the justice committee, and it did. God help the migration pact that is before the justice committee. Is the Minister of State telling me the justice committee unanimously came up with this without opposition or with no discussion? It is a very poor outlook for other similar issues that are before that committee. We saw it yesterday when we had NGO after NGO take up time and tell us all how well off the country is.

These clubs, organisations and hospice groups are struggling morning, noon and night. Circle of Friends in Tipperary, which has been there for 20 years and has a brand new building, gets some Government grants, but people raise funds for it every week. It gives help, care, support and solace to people with cancer and in cancer recovery. Many groups will not back the organisation. It would not exist only for the fundraising. These people are put to the pin of their collar trying to live. However, the Irish people are generous and always have been. They give willingly to good causes. Sometimes, there are bad actors, as the Minister of State said, but people give willingly to good causes. They are in every parish and community. They are almost in every hamlet, but a number of them are certainly in every parish. We need to continue that tradition and spirit of care - ní neart go cur le chéile. We need to have that for our young people to pick up, and they are.

The young people sell and buy a lot of tickets. They might not have much money, but they buy them, and they love to win as well. That is not gambling. I told the Minister of State this last week. The problem is that gambling is with them the whole time, whether it is in the bedroom, in the school or following them in the car. That is what the Minister of State must go after. He is going after little fish here, and they are the fish that provide. It is like the gospel parable of the loaves and the fishes; it is a miracle. They do miracles to keep clubs afloat and keep people having a decent modicum of living and enjoyment.

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