Seanad debates

Wednesday, 2 December 2020

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

 

10:30 am

Photo of Eugene MurphyEugene Murphy (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I agree with the sentiments expressed by Senator Fitzpatrick. Every morning that I walk from a hotel to Leinster House, I see people on the streets having slept there overnight and I ask myself why that is with so much money and so many agencies around the city. People down the country who do not like to see people on the streets ask me constantly why they are still there. It is time to look at that and see how we can avoid that situation.

I agree with Senator Hoey regarding young people who are carers. It was a moving report on radio yesterday and we would all subscribe to what she said.

Senator Dooley mentioned the social employment schemes, which are vital to much of the west and mid-west. According to the figures, most of the people on social employment schemes in this country are from that region and they are vital.

As Senator Keogan said, we would like families of people who are playing in Croke Park in all-Ireland finals, male and female, to be there if possible.

The Deputy Leader will have seen me on many occasions speak about the N5. She, Deputy Calleary and myself have fought, as have other Oireachtas Members, for the development of that roadway. There is a €200 million project now many going through County Roscommon from Ballaghaderreen to Scramoge. We are hoping that the contract documents will reach the council shortly. I will briefly mention the towns and villages that are bypassed. A number of businesses lose out, while some do not. A hotel, restaurant or filling station suffers when a town is bypassed. Hardware store, supermarkets or pharmacies do not because they rely on local business. Every time a road is completed, we see there is money in the overall contract to put a piece of art on the national primary route that is bypassed, which costs significant money. However, money is never allocated to do something for the village and town that is bypassed and suffers. To cut to the chase, perhaps we could ask a Minister to come in to discuss this issue and see if we can progress it. I know what is something the Deputy Leader very much supports.

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