Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome every initiative that can be taken to support and assist Roscrea and its people. In my opening address, I complimented the Minister on her commitment to Roscrea and to the organisations within Roscrea, and I am glad to hear today that the REACH project can now go forward. As the Minister is aware, I have been very active with her officials in successfully promoting other projects such as the Gantly Street and Market Square developments and the provision of a new coláiste pobail for Roscrea.

As regards the hotel, it is comical politics to close one hotel and to open another. I have serious reservations about the practicality of the exercise, but in the interest of the town I am prepared to give it every consideration and discuss it locally with the council officials and everybody else involved. We should, however, look also at the possibility of a private purchase of the hotel with the support of the grant aid from the Department in order that we look at the two options: first, a privately purchased option supported by grant and, second, the community option.

Finally, what proposal does the Minister have as regards extra gardaí, extra classrooms, extra teachers, extra doctors and dentists-----

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