Garret Ahearn (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I normally ask for a Minister to do something, but I will be different this time. I want to thank a couple of Ministers. Yesterday there was an announcement in County Tipperary of the go-ahead for Fethard primary care centre. Members will be aware I have brought this up a number of times in the Seanad and I tabled this as a Commencement matter. It is a very important primary care centre for Fethard, Killenaule and Mullinahone. I know all the GPs are delighted, as I met them yesterday. The community as a whole is delighted. It is on a campus that is all about health, well-being and support - Fethard Town Park - which we have invested more than €3 million in already and there is a top-class sports facility there. I thank the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Butler, for the work she has done on this.

I also thank the Minister of State at the Department of Education, Deputy Madigan, for emergency funding for Donaskeigh National School, just outside Cashel. This funding was badly needed. The children's playground area where they play during lunchtime has been dangerous for a number of years, and this is the school's third time applying for emergency funding. The school staff had almost given up hope of getting it entirely. They are thrilled with the news today. The principal, Mairead Sheehy, and Martin Daly, chairperson of the board of management, are thrilled with the news.

Finally, it is a big day in Tipperary today where a new hotel has opened - the Cashel Palace Hotel. The building been closed since 2014. As most people will be aware, Cashel is a tourist town. We get thousands upon thousands of visitors every year. However, one of the challenges we have always had is that there has not been enough accommodation to keep people in Cashel and in the county. The opening of this hotel gives people the opportunity to stay in Cashel overnight, and there will be a knock-on effect for cafés, restaurants and the wider community in the town. It is a very important day. The community is thrilled with it. I thank everyone and all the workers who have been involved. It has been promised for a long time to be opened on 1 March, but most projects get delayed. However, this one opened up today and everyone is delighted. Everyone is invited to come down and try it out sometime.