Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

No doubt everyone in this House will at this point have heard about the theft of an ATM from outside the Bank of Ireland premises in Ballybay, County Monaghan. It is the only on-street ATM available to the public in Ballybay.In the run-up to Christmas, the main street was closed off for a considerable period and it was not possible for local people to access the many shops, restaurants and bars that the town has to offer.

In many ways, this could have been a complete disaster for a small rural town like Ballybay, but I am glad to report a positive news story today, in that Ballybay is fighting back. Last night, the local chamber of commerce held an emergency meeting at which it decided that this Christmas was not going to be disastrous for it and that it would do something about the situation. The chamber met staff from the local Bank of Ireland branch, which I am glad to report has, to accommodate local traders and shoppers, decided to open its branch doors on Saturday and Sunday of this week. I compliment the local bank staff on doing that.

The chamber also decided to hold a number of events to kick-start the town's Christmas. It has arranged everything from a carol service to music on the streets to promote the local town and encourage people to shop locally over Christmas. We can refer to CCTV and more gardaí for the town, and we will do so in the new year, but what could have been a disaster for a small rural town has ended up being a good news story. I compliment the people of Ballybay on their good community spirit.

I will take this opportunity to encourage people throughout the country to shop local where possible. It is the local business that sponsors the local football or athletic club and puts its hand in its pocket all year around. This is the time of year where the customers have an opportunity to thank the local shop, bar or restaurant by putting their hands in their pockets and shopping locally. I encourage as many people as possible to keep that in mind over the Christmas period.