Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

At this time of year people struggle and find themselves in very challenging situations. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is one of many charities which do fantastic work. It is important to recognise businesses that go the extra mile to do something different. I refer here to Hotel Doolin, which is located in County Clare and which normally closes for three days at Christmas. However, it has been announced that the hotel will remain open in order to accommodate people sent to it by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. The staff at the hotel will work on a rota basis and free of charge during the Christmas period. The companies which supply goods to the hotel will provide food and other essentials in order to ensure that less fortunate people in Clare will have an enjoyable Christmas. The meitheal displayed by the staff and management at Hotel Doolin should encourage their counterparts at other hotels to realise that sometimes giving up one's Christmas is a good thing to do. It is not about money, rather it is about time. What the people at Hotel Doolin are doing is noble, honourable and reflects the spirit of the people of Clare and Irish people in general. I commend them on their action.