Marie Louise O'Donnell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Gathering was possibly the greatest conduit and platform for the energy and creativity that happened in this country during the Minister's watch. It was absolutely outstanding. It would be great if we could create that again. The arts are central to the way we live. I have visited Palestine and witnessed how the arts drew people together from across the Arab and Israeli divide. The West-Eastern Divan Orchestra has brought people together. It is the arts that communicate. It is the arts that get young people through bereavement and loss. It is the arts that give us all internal expression. All of the areas of the arts are the greatest conduit and platform for who we are as human beings. The arts are transformative and intuit because they can see beyond the obvious.

The Minister has said that she will create culture teams and creative hubs across Ireland through the Creative Ireland programme. That is an excellent idea. Business and broadband are important elements of the plan. I have a background in the arts so I can attest to the fact that the sector has so much to offer isolated communities, young communities and ageing communities.

That brings me to the McAuley Place in Naas where the greatest common creativity is happening across an ageing population who live independently in a convent bought by Margharita Solan. The venue comprises 56 independent apartments and a restaurant and provides opportunities to experience art, visual art, creative art, singing, music and dance. McAuley Place represents a healthy whole Ireland. It is an exemplary venue that everyone should visit and should be duplicated in other towns.President Michael D. Higgins said, "After all, we remain creative until we draw our last breath." It is the very thing we are looking for here and in the hubs across Ireland. Perhaps it might be an exemplary hub from which others could learn.

I feel when I come into the Chamber that Members are not listening. It is disconcerting if they are writing, on the internet and looking through other documents.