Michael Mullins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We have proven again we are the best in the world on the sporting field. The ladies' wonderful victory in achieving the rugby grand slam has been referred to and we cannot forget the 14 winners at Cheltenham last week, which highlights the strength of Irish racing and how important the Irish horse industry is to our country.

On the economic and business front, Ryanair has proven what a fantastic business it is, given the huge order it has placed with Boeing for new aircraft. Its plans will see an additional 3,000 jobs created, which will bring its workforce worldwide to 14,000. It is to be congratulated. It is a major Irish company and this is a major achievement. I hope the visits of the Taoiseach and Ministers throughout the world over the St. Patrick's weekend will result in many jobs being created in this country in the years ahead.

I support the call from Senator Mary Ann O'Brien and others for a debate on the problems facing town centre businesses. We are all acutely aware of this, and coming from a small rural town in the west, Ballinasloe, I can see my own town being decimated. We need innovation and we need to think outside the box in regard to how we might revive town centres. This Chamber has a lot of knowledge and expertise, and can contribute to a very constructive debate. I ask the Leader to put that on the agenda. It has been discussed at the Oireachtas committee dealing with jobs but this House should have an opportunity for all Members to contribute to helping to revive our town centres.

I cannot let the opportunity go without referring to two great sporting achievements by west of Ireland teams - St. Thomas's hurling club from County Galway and St. Brigid's from Roscommon who brought the two senior club championships across the Shannon over the weekend.