Marc Ó Cathasaigh (Waterford, Green Party)
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I am caught slightly on the hop by being called first but I thank our guests for their presentations. I agree it is very important work, as Dr. Muldoon set out. I want to look at that in a little more detail but will turn to Mr. Kelly first. He knows I do not need to be convinced of the benefits of in-school growing. It is something I have been doing for a number of years. I give particular credit to Paddy Madden in Coláiste Mhuire Marino, who is very passionate about growing in schools and children's appreciation of the natural world. I mentioned the climate anxiety that exists in children in the Dáil last week and Mr. Kelly has touched on it. I try to shield my children from it as much as possible but it is important to dwell on the fact the best antidote to despair is action and Mr. Kelly is talking about an action-based approach.

On Men's Sheds, I have heard it described in the context of men having a great difficulty talking face-to-face and talk much better shoulder-to-shoulder. Many of the children I found difficult to reach when teaching in a traditional classroom format were much easier to reach and form a relationship and bond with was when I was either in the garden or on the GAA pitch with them. It gave me an opportunity to interact with them in a different, informal way but also it was shoulder-to-shoulder rather than face-to-face. I want to give Mr. Kelly an opportunity to comment on that. How does he see that role as a gardener, rather than a teacher, and how that can help foster relationships or change the nature of relationships with students?