Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

During this crisis we have seen many examples throughout the country of people being creative and communities coming together. Musicians have performed in parks, greens and housing estates.I ask the Leader to call on the Minister with responsibility for heritage and culture to create a day of recognition of all these different initiatives that helped people in the darkest days of this pandemic. I think of one example in my area, Clahane, County Clare, where all the young people have painted beautiful sea stones. Some Members might have heard Luka Bloom, a fellow constituent of mine who lives in Liscannor. He has written a song, "The Beauty of Everyday Things", and the video that goes with the song contains pictures of the sea stones that were painted by young people in particular who used their creativity. My secretary Edel's daughter, Sarah Reidy, painted a number of these beautiful sea stones. This helped people to express themselves and gave them an outlet and something different for them to come together to celebrate: the idea of everyday things being beautiful, the new reality in which people appreciate the simple things in life that they may not have experienced or appreciated before. That absolute power of positive energy out there needs to be recognised by the State when the pandemic is over because it has enriched many people and assisted them in getting through these difficult, dark days.

Finally, I agree with and share the Cathaoirleach's sentiments in thanking the staff of this House, who are doing a remarkable job under very difficult circumstances.