Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I support Senator Ó Ríordáin's call for a debate on women and sport, an issue about which I am very passionate and have a keen interest in. I congratulate the ladies' hockey team who won the best team award in the RTÉ sports awards on Saturday night. It was a great tribute to their contribution representing Ireland, for which they won silver medals. They have set a high standard for many other teams. I am involved in a local school from which one of the students has been selected to play basketball for Ireland. The team has a lot of competitions coming up. It is time we had a debate on women's participation in and contribution to sport.

Shannon Foynes Port Company has been awarded EU transport corridor status today. It is one of nine ports across Europe awarded this status. It was awarded this status because it is a very deep port. This is a Brexit present in that if Brexit proceeds it will pose many issues for UK ports. This award is very positive for the Shannon Estuary and the Shannon Foynes Port Company. The company's development plan out to 2041 provides for the additional physical infrastructure and innovative digital technology. This designation today will lead to delivery of that plan and job creation. It is a good news story, which I welcome.