Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I want to plug two events today. Bloom is taking place tomorrow. It is now an international horticultural event. Thousands of people will flock there over the next few days. It is a showcase for Irish horticulture, landscape and garden design and also supports the commercial growers in this industry. I ask the Leader to have a debate around at an appropriate time on the horticultural industry, particularly in regard to food. We are importing food worth millions of euro. It is a shame when we have a wonderful climate for growing produce. I also acknowledge the work of An Bord Bia and the Office of Public Works, OPW. I hope Senators can get to Bloom, which is an amazing show. This promises to be a particularly fantastic one. Hopefully many people can get there. To be fair to the Fianna Fáil leader, he makes it an annual event to attend, as does the Fine Gael leader. Every year, I meet the Tánaiste, Deputy Micheál Martin, at the event and secure a photograph with him. He is a particularly keen person, as is the current Taoiseach. Many Ministers will flock to Bloom and meet their people from around the country.

I also mention the Ronald McDonald House charity. The Cathaoirleach is supportive of the organisation. Its members spoke in glowing terms about him when I met them in Buswells Hotel 20 minutes ago. I ask Senators to make their way over to the hotel where there is an impressive set-up promoting the charity's work. When I asked them what their ask was, they said they had no ask and they just wanted to say "Thank you" to the people of Ireland who support the cause. There is a map showing how the charity has impacted on people here county by county. I ask that Senators make their way over there at some point and meet the team from Ronald McDonald House, which supports children who really need support and are ill. They are my two plugs today.