Eugene Murphy (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I agree with Senator Buttimer and others who have welcomed the extension of the 9% VAT rate, for which we have all been lobbying. It is important for businesses that there be such incentives to help them recover from the pandemic. The recovery is still ongoing, and if our tourism season takes off in the way we believe it will, the extension will help the sector to recover. I wish to acknowledge the wonderful support given by the Government to the sector. It is acknowledged widely throughout the sector.

I commend the management and staff of Roscommon University Hospital who, in a recent patient survey, got the thumbs up for the way they run the hospital, its cleanliness and their friendliness. We are always quick to talk about the negatives in the health sector, but we should also talk about the positives. This is a positive story. I went through the battles when we lost our emergency department in 2011. It was a battle lasting a number of years, but that is the way these things go. It is still a matter of contention for people, but the management, staff and services available at Roscommon University Hospital are exceptional. I visited it with the Minister for Health prior to Christmas. He was impressed with the layout. Speaking as someone whose family member has used it, it is wonderful to see the patients and public saying that what is being done there is good and that most people have a positive experience there.

If possible, I would like a debate on the roll-out of Local Link rural transport. In those parts of the country that do not have public bus or train services, Local Link is the answer, but there are many shortcomings. We need to debate this matter because, while Local Link is doing a good job in parts of our regions, many people who want to go to day centres, villages and towns are being left behind. They are being told that they cannot be collected because they are too far away. The purpose of Local Link is to accommodate all of these people. Perhaps the Leader will consider arranging a debate with the relevant Minister.