Micheál Carrigy (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I pay tribute to Senator Flynn on her comments here this morning. Congratulations to our colleague, Senator Lisa Chambers, and her husband, Jarleth Munnelly, on their recent nuptials.

I remind Members of the autism training that I mentioned yesterday. The first session of the training will take place in the audiovisual room on Thursday next. I ask Members to log on and register to take part in the session. It is important that we have a full complement on that day in order that we can start as we mean to go on.

Part of the recent report on the Defence Forces dealt with the question of new headquarters for the latter. The report recommends that these headquarters should be centrally located, with subcommands providing an adequate national disposition. It also recommends that the future structures should be regionally balanced. I want to put forward the location of Custume Barracks in Athlone, which is located right in the middle of the country. There is a fantastic site there. In addition, there is sufficient land to expand on what is already in place. I ask that this be looked at as a matter of priority. It is in line with the recommendation of the commission for the headquarters to be centrally located, since it is right in the heart of Ireland. I suggest that Athlone should be chosen in this regard.

Two young men from my neck of the woods in Longford, Patrick McGivney and Robert Higgins, have produced a new film that is being released tomorrow. It is called "Lakelands". It has won numerous national and international awards. When people are thinking of something to do over the next couple of weeks, I ask them to consider going to see the film. It is not too often that Irish films go on to release nationally. They are two young lads in their 20s. It was shot on location in Granard, County Longford, and is well worth seeing. I ask people to keep an eye out for it.