Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Given that this is the final occasion on which we will meet prior to the summer break, I take this opportunity to thank the Cathaoirleach for the courtesy he has shown us and to thank the staff of the Houses and the ushers. In particular, I thank the staff of the Seanad Office, the Clerk, Ms Deirdre Lane, Mr. Martin Groves, Mr. Ronan Curran and Ms Niamh O'Grady. They are extremely helpful and professional individuals. The help they give us on a daily basis makes it very easy for us to do our job.

I hope it will be a very enjoyable summer, with many Gaelic games to be watched. I bring the House's attention to a very interesting article in yesterday's Irish Independent. A former Kilkenny hurler has suggested that hurling should be part of the curriculum at primary and secondary level. For a long time, I have stated that history should be a compulsory subject because everyone should know their background and the history of the country. This is particularly the case in the year in which we are celebrating the centenary of the 1916 Rising. History should be at the core of education in this country. Gaelic games, particularly hurling and football, should also be at the centre of the curriculum.