Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Exactly, yes. The mood music is not great. It says that it will keep the demand under review and it mentions the potential implications of incoming Ukrainian refugees. The Minister of State knows that time is of the essence in this. If we are going to do something, it cannot be a case that we keep it under review. It will either happen or it will not. If it is going to happen it needs to happen soon.

We need to see something from the Minister and the Department. I wrote to the Minister seeking an engagement with local Deputies. I will put on record my commendation of the local community, especially Mr. Mick Reilly and Ms Patricia Rogers from the Ardcath Clonalvy Heritage Society and the Clonalvy Revival Programme. It is clear that this can be a success story. It is only a matter of whether the will is there. There are details to be worked out and technicalities. If people want to hide behind those technicalities they can, but I firmly believe if there is a will to make this happen, it can be a success story. All the ingredients are there in the community and the education system locally. The Minister of State knows the potential of it. I am available at any time, day or night, to play whatever helpful role I can in this regard but time is of the essence. I ask him to take that back to the Minister and update us as best he can on what the next steps are as the Minister of Sate understands them. I cannot say it any clearer than that. Time is of the essence. We need the Minister and the Department to lead on this.

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