Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

What I have to say is more of a comment. I apologise for being in and out as I have other guests. I thank all the contributors. To follow on from what Senator Malcolm Byrne said, we need some kind of start - tús maith leath na hoibre. Ring-fenced money must be provided by way of capital grants for arts groups to apply for.

To pick up on what Mr. McGlynn said, perhaps there should be more collaboration. Going back 25 years, the GAA just played football and hurling, but now it has evolved into recreation and walking tracks. We could have further collaboration with the clubs, if they have space, rather than having another separate venue. They could all be on the one site if there is collaboration between groups.

In terms of the housing programme, the voluntary sector does tremendous work. I cannot speak highly enough of it. Some very imaginative projects started an award scheme. There are some delightful projects. Where there are quasi-communal spaces there is possibly room for engagement with arts groups as well to get a space in some of them. They are normally for the elderly or for mixed developments but the benefits to the residents would be enormous as well. If people would explore the options there are areas with potential. Money is being diverted big-time into the housing sector, rightly so. There are possible areas of collaboration.

Ms Nugent knows my town, Cluain Meala, the vale of honey, where there is a huge space in the centre of the town. The Junction festival used it quite successfully two years ago. It is an old Superquinn site. God be good to the late Senator Feargal Quinn, he had great imagination. When it was set up, which is not 100 years ago, it was a spanking new premises but it is closed now and it is empty. A number of housing bodies have looked at it but it is bigger than what they can use. It is a huge area right in the centre of the town for other groupings in the community to be involved in as well. There is room for collaboration and thinking outside the box. I agree with the point about the planning laws having to stipulate it. I think it was Ms Nugent that made the point. We must move that way because not everybody plays sport, runs around or plays at the hurling wall. Senator Cassells mentioned about the "mothers and others" playing football. We need to expand the model, which is there if we look at the way GAA clubs and other sporting organisations, soccer, and other sports, share their walking and running tracks with the community. There is an open door there and we should at least explore these options.