Micheál Carrigy (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to be associated with the congratulations to Senator Bacik. She will be an asset to Dáil Éireann and a loss to the Seanad. I also wish to compliment our candidate, Councillor James Geoghegan, a fantastic candidate who ran a great campaign. To paraphrase Arnold Schwarzenegger, he will be back.

I would like to get an update on the provision of a new school for Meán Scoil Mhuire in Longford. It has been an ongoing issue for a substantial length of time. The school has 600 pupils, an ageing building and no play area for the students.

I disagree with Senator Keogan. I firmly believe we must get our hospitality industry fully reopened. I support the proposals that will be brought to the House. We have to get our hospitality, restaurants and pubs open. They have been closed for too long so I will fully support anything that can help that.

Drivers licences is another issue that has been pertinent over the last 12 months. There are three separate companies dealing with driver licences - the driver test, the theory test and applications for renewal of licences. It is turning into a mess, to be honest, for many young people. It has to be examined. When the tender was issued for the driver licence applications centres, it was sent out in such a way that even the local post office could not apply for it. We set up 60 new offices, many of them located in the upstairs or corners of buildings that are inaccessible to elderly people. I ask that this be looked at again.

Finally, I thank you, a Chathaoirligh, for your courtesy over the last 12 months. I also thank Mr. Martin Groves, Ms Bridget Doody and the staff of the Seanad. It is truly an honour to be here and it is made much easier by the way the Seanad has been run by you and them. I also thank the Leader for her work over the last 12 months.