Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for his comments. The Tidy Towns is probably one of the best schemes in the country. I know the Acting Chairman's county has done well in the Tidy Towns over the years. I was delighted to allocate the €1.4 million and I did this in recognition of the work that people do in a voluntary capacity.

To go back to the question I was asked, I call on all sporting organisations, businesses and communities to support for one year the Tidy Towns committees throughout the country. I am asking people to make a special effort on the 60th anniversary of the Tidy Towns committees. Perhaps a sporting organisation or a local factory could take a corner of a town or village and make an effort to improve it for one year. I call on all communities to give their support this year for the 60th anniversary. This was launched on 28 March and the closing date is 23 May. We will be writing to all Tidy Towns committees shortly to tell them of all the new schemes we are introducing and we have also had a consultation process with them.

This is a great scheme and we should give these people a bit of assistance this year. It is left to the few in every small village and town. Why can everybody not give a bit of help for one year, given it is the 60th anniversary? I make a plea to everybody to come out and support them, even Members of the Oireachtas, and to get involved for one year in their Tidy Towns committee to make it a special 60th year. It is good for towns and villages and good for the country.

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