Eugene Murphy (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I agree with Senator Davitt's comments.

I did not speak in the House yesterday, so I wish to extend my sympathies to our colleague, Senator Currie, on the death of her dad, Austin, a man who stood shoulder to shoulder with the Catholic community in Northern Ireland when they needed it. He never did it through violent means, but always through peaceful means. Go ndéanfaidh Dia trócaire ar a anam dílis.

Senator Dolan referenced the wonderful environmental work being done in schools. Funnily enough, I have received a request from a number of schools because they want to purchase polytunnels. That is a fantastic request but - Senator Garvey will tell me whether I am wrong - there does not seem to be a fund to support them. Quite a deal of money in the budget has gone towards horticulture. I have checked with the Department of Education but have not spoken to the Minister of State, Senator Hackett. If there is not a fund, I would like to suggest that we ask the Minister of State and the Minister for Education, Deputy Foley, to see whether we can get one. Schools tell me that there is no such fund available. I have done a bit of a trawl and cannot see one either, although money can be provided for various developments. A fund would be a good measure. If one goes into a supermarket, one can see the various produce from Brazil, Peru and Colombia. One can see green beans from Kenya and lentils from somewhere else. All of those crops can easily be grown in this country. If we had to subsidise our growers to do so, then fantastic, because cost would be an issue. When national and secondary schools want to purchase polytunnels and are seeking assistance in that regard, we should rally to their cause and help them.