Micheál Carrigy (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I congratulate the Cathaoirleach on being elected to his position. I wish him well over his term and look forward to working with him over the next number of years.

I concur with what Senator Gallagher said regarding sporting clubs. I am treasurer of my own local GAA club and have been heavily involved at a national level within that organisation. Throughout the sporting world, there has been a serious reduction in the amount of income for those clubs. A stimulus package of €70 million for clubs was announced by the former Minister of State, Deputy Griffin, a number of weeks ago but more is needed. I ask that the new Minister come to the Chamber and set out new measures to support all sporting organisations throughout the country.

I also ask the Leader that the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport come to the House. During the negotiations on the programme for Government, learning about the proposed 2:1 spend on public transport infrastructure versus road infrastructure caused me some concern. It is important that certainty is given to a number of projects that were on the national development plans up to 2040.I am speaking in particular about the M4, which was previously taken out of the plan. It is back in. There is a need for certainty that project will be progressed. It is to run from Mullingar, though County Longford, and on to the Leitrim border. It is not just important for the midlands but for the entire north west as an economic driver for the future and for connectivity with Dublin. It is important that there be clarity with regard to that project and that it be progressed.

I also echo the views of Senators Craughwell and O'Reilly with regard to respite and dementia care. I know from personal experience that it has been an extremely difficult time for elderly people. We need to congratulate and to pay tribute to the front-line carers who have been looking after elderly people in homes over recent months. A new view of how we look after elderly people needs to be taken. It is important that more people be allowed live in their own homes and that proper care packages be provided to allow people to be cared for in their own homes rather than in nursing homes. I would welcome an opportunity to meet the various Ministers with a view to progressing that.

Finally, I also echo the call for the extension of maternity leave, which I fully support. My own county and county town have got a lot of negative publicity recently but I welcome the actions of the Criminal Assets Bureau and the Garda Síochána yesterday. They swooped on a number of major crime gangs that have caused a lot of crime and a lot of hurt in our community. It is important that we fully support An Garda Síochána and the business people of Longford. As a Member of the Oireachtas, I will do that. We have a great town and a great county. I take this opportunity to thank them for the work they have done. I look forward to supporting them in making our county great again.