Micheál Carrigy (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Cathaoirleach and the Leader. It is an honour to stand up and speak in Leinster House. I thank everyone who supported me to get elected to represent them here. It is not the Seanad Chamber, but it is great to be in Leinster House.

I support Senators McGahon and Murphy regarding private coach operators . I have family involved in the industry and I echo their comments.

I wish to raise a number of school issues. School in September is a worry for a lot of schools. I have three issues in my area regarding school buildings that need to be replaced. One is Meán Scoil Mhuire in Longford town. It is more than 100 years old and has more than 600 pupils. Students are in 40 to 50 year old Portakabins. Prior to social distancing, that was not adequate. An application is with the school building unit for a new school and I ask the Minister to consider and prioritise that.There is also an application from my alma mater, St. Mel's College, which has over 500 pupils. They are not looking for a new building but to renovate the existing structure, which was the diocesan college within the town, to cater for more pupils. We also have an issue in Edgeworthstown which is the second largest town in the county. We have over 300 children leaving the town every day to travel to schools outside the area. In a time when we are looking for people to reduce being on the road and transport emissions, these are three issues that need to be prioritised. I ask that the Minister would look positively on them immediately.