Eugene Murphy (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

First, I congratulate the Cathaoirleach on the two events we had recently. Unfortunately, I was not here for Governor Healey's address yesterday, even though she has south Roscommon and east Galway connections. I had asked for a speaking slot, but something arose and I did not get here. It was nice to see the Governor address the Seanad. I support the Order of Business, as laid out by the Acting Leader.

I want to reflect briefly on a national movement that has made us all sit up and see what can be done, namely, the men's shed movement. Of course, after men's sheds became a reality, the women's sheds movement emerged. We should never underestimate the level of involvement of the movement in local communities, whether it is in Roscommon, Galway, Dublin, Cork, Kildare or wherever. We could not leave out the lilywhites. It is phenomenal. The movement is a very special one. It has been recognised by Government in recent years, with the awarding of funding to these groups. In my own part of the country, I see the interaction they have with all the groups and the good they do for society. Of course, there is a well-being issue as well. Some of these men were sitting at home doing nothing, suffering from depression - let us be honest and open about it. It is a new phenomenon and thing that is happening. It also takes pressure, to a degree, off our health system when people become involved in movements like this. As I said, the women's shed movement is now beginning to do great work as well.

There are some issues and difficulties up and down the country. For example, there is an issue with rates. It is sometimes hard for groups to get permanent buildings. A business that has closed down or a business person who has a shed might give over that building to the movement. That is happening in several parts of the country, but not on a permanent basis. In some counties the local authorities are seeking the payment of rates by those groups. It is not happening in all of the counties, but it is happening in some of them. It is an issue we might discuss. Maybe some day we will have a short discussion with the relevant Minister in relation to all that goes on with all the women's and men's sheds movements. We might also seek to remove the threat that is happening to some of them, whereby they are being pushed to pay commercial rates because they are going into what was previously a commercial building. Some local authorities are not doing it, but others are. There should be an agreement nationally that those type of voluntary groups are not charged rates. It is in place for most other groups. I would like to see that happening for the movement.