Malcolm Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the decision of the Press Ombudsman and Press Council of Ireland concerning false statements made about Presentation College, Carlow and its teaching staff last November. It is time some of those who led the attacks on the teaching staff, including the Labour Party, would publicly apologise to those teachers who suffered a very unfair social media pile-on.

I also echo the comments of Senator Buttimer in wishing everybody a happy Pride. It is unfortunate to see what has been happening in Hungary and Poland. A small number of homophobic incidents that took place around the country remind us of the importance of this month. However, what we saw in my neighbouring county of Waterford with respect to the mayor, Damien Geoghegan, the councillors, the Minister of State, Mary Butler, my colleague, Senator Clifford-Lee, Waterford Local Radio and the people of the city and county showed exactly how tolerant a county it is and how diversity could be celebrated. I am also very proud of Wexford County Council. If people get a chance they should check out the way County Hall has been lit up in the rainbow colours. That shows Wexford is not only a tolerant county but a very creative place.

As I am speaking of Wexford, Members will be aware this is the strawberry season. I was delighted my colleague, the Minister of State, Senator Hackett, was recently at Green's berry farm in County Wexford where she sampled some of the finest strawberries in the country. It is important we support our fruit growers over the course of the summer, particularly Wexford strawberries. I know the Cathaoirleach likes to come down to Wexford. I hope he will have plenty of strawberries during his time there. In addition, there is a young man from Wexford called Mark Kavanagh who has set up a business selling a new vodka liquor called Wexbury. I hope the Cathaoirleach will be able to drown the strawberries at the same time.