Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael)

I join you, a Chathaoirligh, in welcoming the Minister of State, Deputy Brendan Smith, to the House. As a fellow county man, I am delighted to congratulate him on his appointment to senior ministerial office and wish him continued success in that role.

I take the opportunity to welcome to the Visitors Gallery Mr. Seamus O'Reilly, county commissioner of Scouting Ireland in County Cavan, and Mr. Johnny Hancock, county programme co-ordinator of Scouting Ireland for Cavan-Monaghan.

With regard to the substantive issue, in 1997 Castle Saunderson was acquired by Scouting Ireland. The castle is on a 103 acre site on the Cavan-Fermanagh border. It is ideal for the proposed scouting project, which was to establish a cross-Border and national recreation centre for young people from throughout the country, North and South, which will hopefully still happen. Such a facility is lacking in the region. There is no such facility north of a line from Galway to Athlone to Dublin.

Between 1999 and 2005 Scouting Ireland pursued a number of avenues of funding for the project. Some funding was secured from outside Ireland and some came from within. In 1998 Government support was promised by the Taoiseach, Deputy Bertie Ahern, when he visited the site, which is a critical point. I urge the Minister to give practical and immediate effect to that promise.

The site secured full planning permission from Cavan County Council in 2005. Due to the difficulty for Scouting Ireland in securing matching funding and other conditions, it had to re-evaluate the project. Currently, a working group of Scouting Ireland national personnel and Cavan-Monaghan scout personnel are examining all aspects with regard to continuing this landmark youth project in an area deprived of youth facilities. This facility will not only be utilised by Irish young people but will be a cross-Border peace and reconciliation centre.

Scouting Ireland is the largest youth organisation on this island, and one that is truly non-denominational, non-sectarian, non-sexist. I am happy to say my two elder sons benefit hugely from their involvement in Scouting Ireland and I understand the son of my colleague from Cavan, Senator Diarmuid Wilson, is a member of the cubs group with Mr. Hancock. I am sure Senator Wilson would also endorse the value of Scouting Ireland.