Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

There are more places in Ireland than Dublin and Kerry. I share the concerns of Senators Norris and Callely regarding the worst conditions in 40 years in Gaza. I hope something can be done to stop that conflict that has gone on for a very long time.

Senator Mullen referred to a juvenile detention centre in Lusk and I will pass his views on to the Minister. I know the Senator works closely with the Catholic Church and the bishops of Ireland and I will also pass on his serious concerns relating to mass cards to the Minister. Over the past five years I was Chairman of the Committee on Enterprise and Small Business and travelled to many countries with Ministers of State, Ministers and, on three occasions, on trade missions with the Taoiseach. The Ireland of saints and scholars is not merely a throwaway one-liner; it took centuries to create that association and nobody has been a better ambassador for our country than our missionaries. If the funding from mass cards is to be forwarded to missionaries and masses are being said for the dearly departed, we should do everything we can to continue the good work that has gone on for decades.