Maura Hopkins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I also support the amendment and the contributions made by my colleagues, Senators Paddy Burke, Mulherin and O'Mahony. This amendment is about achieving a balance. Of course, we must preserve our bogs, flora, fauna and biodiversity, but we must also support people and communities. In many cases, supporting people and communities requires infrastructure and basic infrastructure upgrades, and Senator Mulherin was quite correct in the examples she provided. Community facilities are necessary. This amendment seeks to achieve that balance, and to support people to live in rural areas and communities to thrive and flourish. I strongly support it.