Seanad debates

Wednesday, 17 November 2021

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

 

10:30 am

Photo of Garret AhearnGarret Ahearn (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I echo the comments made by Senator Keogan in respect of encouraging people to get into foster care. I had an opportunity to meet many foster families in Tipperary when I was a councillor. The work they do is incredible and the love and support they give to these kids is phenomenal. The Senator does a great deal of excellent work in that field and I support her call. I ask that the Minister for Transport, Deputy Eamon Ryan, be invited to the Chamber at some point to speak about cycleways and walkways around the country. The Government is investing a significant amount in cycleways and walkways. The Deputy Leader will know from her own area how this benefits a region. In Mayo, the greenway is very well known, as is the one in Waterford. In Tipperary, we have what is called a blueway, which goes from Carrick-on-Suir to Clonmel. It has been very beneficial since it was opened, which was just before Covid, two years ago. The mayor of Carrick-on-Suir, Councillor Mark Fitzgerald, and I are doing a lot of work in conjunction with Tipperary County Council and Waterford County Council to join the blueway and greenway together. The greenway is going to be extended from Waterford city to Portlaw, which is about 12 km from Carrick-on-Suir. Connecting the greenway to the blueway in Tipperary will be advantageous in the promotion of the towns of Carrick-on-Suir and Clonmel and the wider region.

I live on St. Declan’s Way, a walkway from Cashel to Ardmore in Waterford. The promotion of that route over the past year has been dramatic. I have seen so many people walking past my house every day with hiking boots. They go up the Knockmealdowns and on towards Waterford. If we can promote the cycleways that are being developed and constructed as attractions for foreign tourists, there will be a great advantage for the country. I refer to the promotion of the scenic areas outside Dublin so we can bring tourists to towns such as Clonmel, Cashel, Carrick-on-Suir and Waterford. If, as a Government, we harnessed an approach in this regard, I would be very grateful.

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