Micheál Carrigy (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I concur with the comments of Senator Byrne with regard to an arts capital programme to add to the work that has been done by the Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin. I second that fantastic proposal. There has been significant investment in the arts but a programme like that would allow us to increase the infrastructure throughout the country. I support that call.

Also, with regard to the Young Social Innovators, I send congratulations to the students of Ballymahon Vocational School in Longford who were one of the winners at the awards last week.I also welcome three transition year students from Moyne Community School in County Longford, Orla McCann, Rebecca Moorhead and Saoirse O'Toole. They are here today to look behind the scenes a little in Leinster House.

While we are speaking about schools, the social media companies were invited to appear before the Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport and Media, of which I am a member, to discuss the large numbers of young people using social media. Two refused and one did not even show the committee the courtesy of giving an answer. We need a discussion on this matter.

A project on mobile phones has been rolled out in a primary school in County Wicklow whereby all parents agree that no child will get a mobile telephone or iPhone prior to leaving the school and going into secondary school. I thought this was an excellent idea. I have young children who are at that age. My 11-year-old is the only child in his class who does not have a mobile telephone and is not on Instagram or Snapchat. We need to look at this issue. It is important to have a discussion in the House.

Senators will have seen recently in the media that I had issues with threats to my home. I welcome an email from the Cathaoirleach today regarding a scheme that is being brought in for Oireachtas Members based on getting a report from the Garda, which I have done. I support a call for a similar type of scheme to be made accessible to local government representatives. Many of our colleagues have offices in their local areas or in their homes. I ask that this scheme be extended to enable them to access funds to put proper security measures in place at their offices.