Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

That is good to hear. The school's engagement is crucial for the future. The students have very good ideas and it is important that the local authority and this committee listen to what they are saying. They mentioned Hanover Park, which has just been revamped in the past few months. A lot of money has gone into that. More needs to be done, with a second phase to commence. As the witnesses will know, the Penneys site is now back in use.

As part of the change that will happen into the future, the VISUAL centre will form part of the new cultural quarter within the town centre. Within the next few years, we will see that cultural quarter being developed, incorporating the VISUAL centre, Carlow College, Tullow Street and on into Barrack Street. There are really good plans in that regard.

Anther initiative that is coming on board is an activity hub at Carlow Rowing Club . I am sure our guests all know the club, which is very much part of Carlow town. It now has planning permission for a hub, which will be a resource available to the town.

As I have outlined, a lot of work is going to be done in Carlow town. It is important that we move on with that work as quickly as we can. Mention was made of the farmers market, which is located in The Exchange. I do not know whether people have been to that facility lately. It is small but absolutely beautiful. The market was always open on a Saturday morning but now it is in an enclosed area. It is really lovely.

I am delighted the witnesses have highlighted their concerns. It is hard to compare our town with a city because we cannot compete with the cities in terms of our central government funding, our local property tax funding and all of that. Our roads are not as wide as city streets. Those factors bring a lot of challenges and we need to face them.

If the witnesses could make one major change to Carlow town, what would it be? Do they feel that a county like Carlow is disadvantaged relative to other counties in which there are cities? As a proud Carlow woman, I am aware that our guests are the future. What would they like to see happening? I compliment all the students and their teachers. Their school on the Athy Road is one of the most beautiful schools in the country. They have great teachers. I am aware there were some issues with parking and speeding on the road. It is important that we address that safety aspect.

While they are taking time to complete, there are a lot of good things happening in Carlow. The town centre regeneration will start next year and that will bring a lot of changes. All of the attendees will be part of that huge change. Well done on their excellent presentations.