Rose Conway Walsh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The relevant Minister is the Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, Deputy English, and he is working on the pyrite issue. I support Senator Boyhan's call for him to come to the House. I tabled a Commencement matter on the pyrite redress scheme in the hope that it would be taken today but it was not accepted. It is very important that the hundreds of families, particularly across Mayo and Donegal, who are affected by pyrite know where they stand. They are looking keenly for the establishment of a redress scheme to be announced in the forthcoming budget, as was promised by the Minister of State, Deputy English. I would appreciate if a debate could be arranged for this week.

Ba mhaith liom cómhbhrón a dhéanamh le chlann Tom Molloy, ceoltóir iontach as Mulranny i gContae Mhaigh Eo a fuair bás an seachtain seo caite. I pay tribute to Tom Molloy. He was part of a family group called the Molloy Brothers and they are traditional Irish musicians from Mulranny in County Mayo. Tom and his brothers are renowned for their music and have performed in many venues across Ireland, England and throughout the world. They played a piece of music called the "Leaving of Liverpool" for John Lennon when he visited County Mayo in 1969. It is timely that this weekend the town of Ballina in County Mayo is hosting the music sessions and arts festival called the Other Voices. The festival is a prestigious event in the music calendar and I wish everyone in Ballina well for the weekend.

It was pioneers such as Tom who helped to place Irish traditional music at the centre of the folk revival. Tom and his brothers helped to showcase Irish music across the world. I extend my sincere condolences to his wife, Geraldine, his sons, Enda and Thomas, and his daughter, Elizabeth. What the Molloy Brothers did for County Mayo and the music industry as a whole will never be forgotten. It was not only just that. They were so kind and always agreed to do charitable events. I know even from my time in England it was always a pleasure to meet the Molloy Brothers and Tom Molloy. They did what did with joy in their hearts and showed kindness wherever they went.

I wish to highlight a programme called "Finné" that will be broadcast on TG4 tonight. The programme is on the death of another Mayo man, the Mayo hunger striker, Frank Stagg. His brother, George, recounts Frank's last days and how his body was hijacked by the Irish Government. I am sure Senators will remember that he thought the body was being flown into Dublin Airport but the plane was diverted to Shannon Airport and Frank's body was taken away from his family. The programme tells the personal story behind the event. I commend Pat Kenny on the way he interviewed George Stagg about the story for Newstalk yesterday morning. The story of what happened to Frank needs to be told and put in context.

I will quote what George said when Pat Kenny asked him whether it was worth it and whether he would do it again. George described how his brother, Frank, had been influenced by the Ballymurphy massacre in Belfast, internment and what had happened in the North. George said that just because Frank was from Mayo did not mean that he was any less affected by what happened in the North and he saw the need to fight back because of injustices, such as the injustice in Ballymurphy. I commend those in TG4 on their bravery-----