Tony McCormack (Offaly, Fianna Fail)

Like my fellow Deputies, I congratulate the Offaly minor football team on its great performance last night. Commiserations to Louth. It has had a fantastic year and it is not over yet. Best wishes to the team in the all-Ireland. There was a fantastic finish to the game and it was a fantastic game of football.

I thank the Taoiseach for his response. As he knows, many rural communities, particularly in counties such as Offaly, are ageing rapidly. This is no longer a distant trend but a reality now shaping local needs and priorities. We need to ensure that ageing in rural Ireland is matched with proper supports, accessible healthcare, rural transport, housing and community services that allow people to age with dignity and connection. I know we have made a lot of progress in these areas recently but I ask that the issue of rural ageing be placed firmly on the Cabinet committee agenda going forward.

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