Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Senator Pippa Hackett):

I agree with the Deputy that the game is part of our culture and is synonymous with ash and the clash of the ash. It has kept many communities together throughout our State's history. As I said, my Department has met Croke Park, Teagasc, Coillte and hurley-makers. I am not sure of the dates of those last meetings but I will look into reconvening another meeting, especially if we are losing hurley-makers. That is important.

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