Pat Buckley (Cork East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank our guests. I also thank the committee for listening and giving them a fair crack of the whip. Senator Buttimer was on the previous petitions committee with me. When we established this committee, it was known as "lastchance.com". The voices of the people we represent should be heard. If this is lastchance.com, our guests can see how strong the committee is. Listening to people as they air their opinions should not be taken for granted. This is a very strong committee. If we can move anything forward and improve matters, we will do so.

The staff of the Owenacurra centre and everyone associated with it are 110% committed to keeping it and its services open. All of the people in that building are friends. It will be a shame if its model is not replicated around the country. This might be personal to me, but I am here as a public representative and it is my job to represent people and give them their voice. It would be a shame if we did not build on this. "Do not move us, improve us." That is what should be done at this centre.