Mary Fitzpatrick (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I pay tribute to the young people in Cabra who have been awarded one of the first ever rainbow awards. It was presented to them this morning. It was my privilege as chair of Cabra for Youth to attend with them. It was presented for completion of an achievement of a rainbow award, which signifies the organisation's commitment to diversity, inclusion, respect and solidarity. Cabra for Youth was one of six youth organisations from across Dublin and the country to receive these first rainbow awards. The awards reflect the organisations’ completion of a programme that is educational and which informs all members of the organisation, including staff, board, volunteers and the young people themselves, on the values of diversity, inclusivity and respect.

Cabra for Youth was founded 14 years ago. It is a great achievement. I pay tribute to Mary Carroll, who is the project leader, and to all of the staff, volunteers and board members, our former chairman Joey Furlong, Niall Counihan, Paul O’Farrell and others who have given of their time. Cabra for Youth has come a long way in those 14 years. It is a real sign of achievement that it is one of the first youth organisations in the country to achieve a rainbow award. I congratulate all of them on that achievement.