Jerry Buttimer (Cork South-Central, Fine Gael)

There is huge merit in those suggestions. I am certainly very open to that. Athy library was mentioned as an example. Birr library is another example. In other parts of the country refurbished buildings are, through a variety of means, being used. Our libraries are now community spaces. They are being used by a variety of people. Our traditional library has changed, thankfully, from a place where you cannot talk, just read, to one where there is an open door for communities. Our Department recognises the importance of public libraries in our communities. It is about community and about people. I recognise the significance of the capital investment. To answer Deputy O'Reilly, I am open to any suggestions because I am a big advocate for libraries. As a member of the local authority, long before I was elected here, I was involved in the Cork city library committee. As the Deputy said, the library is a place for people. It was the only place where people could get educated. They could get books. I remember going to the mobile library as a child and wondering when we would get a library in Bishopstown. I will happily sit down and talk to the Deputies about that. If we can improve the offering for people in communities, why not do it?

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