Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I join with Senators Boyhan and Bacik in calling on the Leader to bring the Judicial Council Bill into this House at an early date. It is important legislation that could move swiftly through this House because it seems to have all-party support.

I second Senator Lawlor’s amendment to the Order of Business. My main reason, however, for speaking is to acknowledge the 30th anniversary of the Youthreach training programme. It is a programme with which the Cathaoirleach is very familiar. It was launched by the then Minister for Labour, Bertie Ahern, and the then Minister for Education and Science, Mary O’Rourke, in 1988. The first pilot centres were established around the country 30 years ago this month.

I am glad that one of those pilot centres was in my county of Cavan and it happened that I was the first co-ordinator. Youthreach training centres have gone from strength to strength in those 30 years. There are now more than 130 centres in the Twenty-six Counties. More than 10,000 young people have benefitted from the education and training provided in those centres in the last three decades. I take this opportunity to congratulate all of the centres, including the initial 20 centres that are now 30 years old, as well as all of the other centres. They are doing marvellous work every day for our young people. I pay particular tribute to Ms Sabrina McEntee. She is the co-ordinator of the Cavan Youthreach centre which will celebrate 30 years of existence next Thursday. I congratulate Ms McEntee, all her staff, past and present, and their colleagues around the country.