Micheál Carrigy (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I support the request made by Senator Conway to have a debate on tourism. It is important and pertinent to the whole area of hospitality. Given the high numbers of Covid-19 cases that we are experiencing now, we must reinforce public health measures and the requirement for vaccination certificates to be sought by people in the industry. We have fallen away from doing that, and this message must be reinforced as we enter the Christmas period.

I also highlight a boil water notice in force in my county. It is the Longford central water supply line, but that encompasses most of the county. A boil water notice has been in place for the last week. I request that work in this regard be expedited and prioritised to allow the boil water notice to be removed. As a parent, I sometimes find it difficult to get the kids to brush their teeth at night normally, but added to that now we must try to ensure that we have a bottle of water beside the taps in the different bedrooms as well. This situation is causing a great deal of concern and I ask that this problem be addressed speedily.

I welcome the clarity provided by the Minister of State, Deputy Chambers, following the raising of the issue regarding playing basketball and other indoor sports. They are extremely important activities for our younger generation and I thank the Minister of State for taking on that matter and dealing with it so quickly. I also highlight another sporting issue that has been in the media concerning referees of underage soccer matches in Dublin. They have withdrawn their services due to the abuse they were getting from the sidelines. Much of it probably comes from the parents concerned and not from the players themselves. It is incumbent on all parents to remember that we need referees to enable our games to go ahead. I was an umpire for 15 years at national level in GAA, but I only ever refereed one game and I would not go back and referee again. It is important therefore that respect is accorded to our referees and to those giving their time.