Aisling Dolan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Seery Kearney and the Joint Committee on International Surrogacy. It is a great achievement, and it shows the power of our committees as well. It came together in such a short time, sitting from February onwards to publishing report in June-July to now having more than 30 recommendations and the majority of those getting implemented. Senators were involved in the committee and it has been a great achievement for men and women and families across the country. Well done. That demonstrates the power of committees.

I am overjoyed because we will have hopefully another 40 jobs in Ballinasloe. That is all thanks to the commitment and investment of the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, in a remote working hub through the towns and villages funding that was announced this morning. Ballinasloe Area Community Development received nearly €500,000 through the just transition fund two years. It has been working over the past year to two years to design, prepare and get ready to renovate the old bank chambers on Society Street in Ballinasloe. It brought the project to design stage and tender, and it is great to see that this extra injection of investment will bring it to the point where it will now be able to start the works on that building hopefully this year. In 2023, those offices will potentially open for another 40 people to start working in the town of Ballinasloe and shop local, perhaps on Ballinasloe.ie, and support our great town.

It is fantastic to see nearly €1 million being allocated to County Roscommon for the Arigna mines, but also nearly €160,000 for the town of Athleague. It is a fantastic place on the banks of the River Suck. It is getting funding to develop a mindful sort of space called the Circle of Life, where they are focusing on having a green space available for people to come, walk and be mindful. Sometimes we need to take a step back.

Happy Christmas. Hopefully I will get a chance to say it tomorrow too.