Michael Kitt (Fianna Fail)

I thank the Cathaoirleach for allowing me to raise this issue and I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe, for coming into the House to reply. I am talking about the village of Creggs on the border of Galway and Roscommon. It is well known, inter alia, for being the place where Charles Stewart Parnell made his last public speech before he died. I commend the historical society in Creggs for establishing a heritage centre in memory of Parnell.

This village is unique in catering for a wide variety of sporting bodies. As well as GAA and other sports, it is well known for its rugby teams. The Cathaoirleach will be interested to know that the principal of the school in Creggs was the late Mattie McDonagh. The school won the Irish Independent Building for the Future competition.

I want to point out that this is a CLÁR area where there is priority for certain developments in towns covered by the programme where the population has fallen over the years. For that reason it is a village that needs a sewerage scheme in order to develop. I am making a strong case this evening to have it included. The Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Ó Cuív, has visited the town of Creggs with me on a number of occasions. He announced that Creggs was in the CLÁR programme and has helped out in many ways, particularly as regards grants given to some of the sporting bodies in the town. I ask the Minister of State to progress the scheme, if he can, particularly as regards the CLÁR priorities and also regarding the necessary developments that the people of Creggs wish to undertake.