Aisling Dolan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Today is a true occasion for me. I thank the Cathaoirleach for his comments earlier. As is the case for so many colleagues, today is about being able to bring our families into the House. It is a true occasion because it is the first time we can do that in two years. I thank the Cathaoirleach, my colleagues and the ushers for making this a special occasion. Being a representative is about pride in where I come from. My family has an awful lot to do with that. I want to acknowledge my mother, Teresa Dolan née Caulfield, who trained as a nurse in London many years ago and then moved back home. If there was ever a woman who could be an inspiration, it would be my mum. There is nothing she could not do, be it nursing, farming, calving or tiling floors. She is incredible. It is her birthday this week and she is here for that special occasion. My father, Tony Dolan, is a farmer who has a true love of the land. He should be in this job rather than me because sometimes I am terrible with names and faces but he knows every square inch of that farm, be it in Jennings' or out in Moore, and he knows the townlands all around it and the people. He has such a love of people and of meeting people and the lockdown has been so hard over the last two years for so many people, especially our older people. I acknowledge that my Dad, a true farmer and his brother, Paddy Dolan, would have always been in the mart and in the Duck Inn in Ballinasloe. The pride that my parents and family have in where they come from is what I have as well. My brothers Brian, Darragh and David helped throughout this whole journey and in making this so special. We are having a 100-year centenary. My father was born in 1932 and he is a true citizen of this country. In this House, where we strive to represent our country in the challenges ahead, the bar has been set by so many and that drives us in public service. It is a special day and one I will treasure for all time.

We are supporting the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Deputy Humphreys, and my colleague, Deputy Stanton, in a measure they are looking at to support open access to school buildings after hours. It is to support local communities and school organisations will benefit. Our request and what we have been working with the Minister on is that this would be a requisite of the CLÁR programme and funding for school buildings and sports areas. This could be to do with playgrounds, Astroturf or basketball courts but it is important that it is done in consultation with principals, school boards of management and parents associations. We might see how we can make this work in practice. School buildings and sports areas are wonderful resources for every town and village and we see the benefit for local communities when they can use these facilities after hours.