James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As the Minister is aware, Youghal is a town very close to my heart. It is where I grew up. It is a town I feel has been dealt an extremely poor hand by the Government, with the loss of more than 70% of our tourism accommodation permanently because of the sale of the Quality Hotel in Redbarn for use as an emergency accommodation centre. While this is something the local community has embraced, I do not feel enough has been done to provide additional DEIS educational supports.

I plead with the Government to do something about this. I have brought multiple Ministers, including the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, to my local town, which was greatly appreciated, but I am anxious to see action. Action is important. It matters for Government backbenchers supporting the Ministers and the work they do in the Cabinet. Will the Minister bring my comments to the Tánaiste and the Taoiseach and tell them that Youghal needs more support from the Government, especially for our educational facilities?

See this speech in context