Maura Hopkins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank everybody for their presentations and I have a number of questions. These organisations represent what is very positive about rural life. Over the past few years I have learned about the sense of community that is still within our rural towns and villages. All three organisations really captivate and work in those communities to ensure there is enhanced human contact and increased engagement.

With regard to men's sheds, I have worked closely with the group in Boyle, north Roscommon. With regard to links, how does it work as an organisation to ensure there is learning from each other?

I know of one particular example in which it has been quite difficult to leverage funding when making applications, as mentioned by one of the other representatives. How do individuals in different men's sheds across the country learn from each other to build on the concept? I know that those involved in the men's shed in Boyle believe their linkages with other organisations within the town very important for their well-being and personal development.

I have been a very proud member of Macra na Feirme for many years. As Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell said, Macra na Feirme is a fabulous organisation. This brings me back to a point I made earlier about leadership and people being involved in the community. As citizens, we need to understand we have rights and responsibilities. These responsibilities include making a contribution to our community because communities do not happen by accident. They happen because people get involved in helping out on a committee or at a church gate collection. Macra na Feirme makes a huge contribution in encouraging young people to take responsibility.

While having 9,000 members across the country is great, there is potential to do more to get more young people involved. Macra na Feirme is important in getting young people involved in public speaking and drama, as well as advocating for young farmers. It is advocating on the issue of the national reserve for the upcoming year, but it has far more potential and needs to be supported by the committee and others. We need to see young people contributing to communities because that is what will help us to maintain and enhance viable rural communities. This filters into all three organisations. There is a need for human contact and to make friends and connections. There is a slight selfish element to contributing in that people feel better in doing so and like to help out. I put this question to all three organisations. How do we get that message across better? There is more we can do to create a better sense of the need to get involved in communities. It is a two-way process and we definitely have a responsibility to do so.