Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I totally agree with Deputy Connolly. The extension of this Act will allow the hospitality sector to continue to provide outdoor dining seating areas. We must all do what we can to support our hospitality industry, especially after what we saw happen with Covid-19.

I was delighted to see the Planning and Development (Street Furniture Fees) Regulations 2023 signed this week, which will provide for the waiver of the street furniture licence fee for "Tables and chairs outside a hotel, restaurant, public house or other establishment where food is sold for consumption on the premises". I saw how outdoor dining was hugely beneficial in County Carlow. To reduce the fees of €125 per table to €0 per table will have a huge impact on businesses.

The Minister of State spoke in his statement about gardaí and front-line policing and the continued roll-out of the new operational model, which will focus on community engagement. I was very honoured to have attended the Carlow-Kilkenny Garda Youth Awards in the Woodford Dolmen Hotel in Carlow town last night. It was such an honour to see so many young people who had made such achievements. I will mention one young man in particular who stood out. He saved two lives in our local river. We do not highlight enough the good young people we have out there who do so much for our country. I compliment the Garda last night working in conjunction with Carlow County Council and Netwatch. To see the families and young people get those awards was really uplifting. It is important to mention them because our young people are playing such a role.

I want to speak to the Minister of State today about one particular issue. We only have two community gardaí in Carlow town now. While Carlow town and county now has a population of more than 60,000, we need more community gardaí. This is an issue I have constantly highlighted in this Chamber. I always say that while we are always compared with counties Waterford and Kilkenny, Carlow is the smallest. I have spoken to the Minister and Minister of State about this. So much good work is being done by our gardaí. Again, I compliment all our young people who played a huge role last night on what they have achieved. To get an award like that is such an honour for them and their families. We need more community gardaí in County Carlow. I ask the Minister of State to make that a high priority.

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