Marc Ó Cathasaigh (Waterford, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State's response. It makes common sense to include it. I have been doing this work with Community Gardens Ireland and we identified this lacuna in the law. It has been a barrier for community groups and a barrier in ensuring that local authorities provide really valuable services in all sorts of ways, including things like addressing climate change, reducing food miles, biodiversity benefits and most importantly the social cohesion element that community gardens provide. The Top of the City Garden is a case in point. Many people go there to grow vegetables but many more people go there to meet members of their community. The vegetables, fruits and flowers provide an excuse for people to come together. I welcome the Minister of State's positive response. The groundwork is done. As I said, it is not my work; the parliamentary drafters within the Oireachtas service put it together. It will be a really welcome inclusion.

I look forward to speaking to it again on Report Stage.