Marie Louise O'Donnell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I made some references in good faith last week to the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Deputy Richard Bruton, regarding trees. I was talking about the fact that we will plant a lot of trees in the next ten years. I certainly did not mean to undermine the Minister in any way. I have a weeping willow at my house, which is actually bigger than the house, because I love trees and I think they are the last bastion of the lung of our island. The Department came back to me stating it is planting not 25 million trees a year but 22 million trees a year, which means they are planting 61,000 trees per day. I call this "The fairy tales of Ireland." That is one thing that gets on the public's nerves, when one knocks on doors and promises before midnight are not kept the following day. I would like the Minister to outline - he need not come in to do it - how he intends to go about this, through the county councils, per day, per hour and per minute and the span and expanse of the trees and where they will be planted. I am very much in favour of the planting of trees but I would like to know how this fantasy is turning into a reality. Perhaps it will happen individually in people's gardens or on their roads, but how will it happen? It is something that is achievable, unlike the 1 million electric cars. The latter is not achievable from the point of view of expense. I like the idea of the trees except that it did not seem to make sense. I thank the Minister for his reply. The Minister has only taken the number down by 3 million - we are on 61,000 a day. Could the Minister let me know how that will happen?

I happened to be in CareBright in Bruff in County Limerick where I visited the first purpose-built community for people living with dementia. Never have I been in something as magnificent. I commend any Senator here who is living in or representing the area of Bruff and any Deputy or Minister who is involved in it. In fact, it was the former Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan, who was mentioned by those working there. It is a credit to the people of Bruff in County Limerick. It is magnificent, involving three houses with six people who are suffering from dementia of whom there are 55,000 in this country, and an area of independent living, outside and inside. I was so impressed with the artwork, the cooking, the music and the living quarters as I bring my own pathology - not necessarily dementia, although many around the House might think so - of growing old well and in safety. In addition, there are there goats and their dog, Patch. It is a template like Ms Margharita Solon's template in Naas at McAuley Place. There are probably many more of them around Ireland. Certainly this is a template that could be retraced in many towns in Ireland.We do not hear many positive things but CareBright in Bruff run by Colette Ryan is a credit to everybody involved in the building, development and action of that dementia centre in Bruff. All Senators should visit it because it is artistically, socially and humanely heartwarming.