Michael Mullins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I join with colleagues who called for a debate on the forthcoming budget in the House when we return. We all want to see an expansionary budget that will help grow our economy, start getting people back to work and help small businesses in particular. Many Members of this House will have a valuable input to make into the budgetary process, and I hope the Leader will facilitate that.

I would like to support the community of Kiltullagh near Athenry this morning, who are calling on the thieves who stole some valuable art from the Catholic church in Kiltullagh a few weeks ago to return them, or to give information to the Garda that would help their early recovery. The paintings of the stations of the cross by the renowned Dublin-born painter and stained glass artist, Evie Hone, are valuable, but they are priceless to the people of Kiltullagh and surrounding areas. This artist is particularly well known. Her painting entitled "My Four Green Fields" hangs in Government Buildings, so there is a connection between the Houses of the Oireachtas and the theft in Kiltullagh, near Athenry. I appeal to the thieves who took six of those paintings. They are invaluable to the people of Kiltullagh. I hope that somebody would respond to the offer being made by Crimestoppers, who are offering a reward for their safe return. I hope that the criminals responsible would be brought to justice, and that anybody trying to pass those paintings off overseas would be apprehended in due course.