Garret Ahearn (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome some funding Tipperary received from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Minister of State, Deputy Peter Burke, over the weekend for Christmas lights. As most people in politics know, one of those questions we all get asked over this period is whether towns and villages across our counties can get more Christmas lights. Tipperary has been lucky. It is getting €35,000, €16,000 of which will go towards Clonmel with the remainder going to Cahir, Cashel and Tipperary town. It goes a long way to supporting those communities in terms of making them more attractive places to visit during the winter, particularly Christmas. When one speaks to businesses in small rural towns, where I am from, having a setting like that makes a big difference and encourages people to visit towns to shop locally and spend money. It is more important than ever this year. It is a small amount of money but as that sort of money goes a long way and is felt by communities in the towns and villages that receive it, I thank the Minister of State for that.

The Cahir town centre public realm scheme has been on public display in Tipperary County Council offices in Clonmel, Nenagh and Tipperary town since 10 November. Submissions can be made by the public until 23 December. This is a new design of Cahir town centre, particularly in terms of the square. It is about redeveloping the entire town centre. With applications like this, communication between the county council, businesses and local residents is really important and this is happening. I got the Minister of State, Deputy English, to visit Cahir a number of months ago to look at the proposals and how they will support tourism, businesses and the community. Tipperary County Council will make an application to the rural regeneration development fund in the Department of Rural and Community Development on the back of this design. I really support this application. Cahir is a beautiful town with a lovely castle that gets a lot of tourists. Most people outside Tipperary talk about Cashel being a tourist destination, which it is, but Cahir also has significant qualities and can attract a lot of people. I support this application and thank the chairperson of Tipperary County Council, Marie Murphy, who is from that district and is very supportive of this application. We will work hard to make sure this becomes a reality in the new year.