Chris Andrews (Sinn Fein)

The reduction in income from Darkness into Light walks and various activities means that Pieta will need more from the State for services, otherwise services are unfortunately going to close. I acknowledge the thousands of volunteers who wake up extra early in support of Pieta's Darkness into Light walk. Funds raised by Pieta are already down for Darkness into Light, and there is a real worry for the services because, without the money raised by Darkness into Light, those services will close. This is a major concern for everyone, as the services Pieta provides are desperately needed within the community. It is a concern for me, as somebody who has been involved in organising the Darkness into Light walk annually, that many State agencies are increasingly imposing barriers to communities running these events. Dublin City Council makes it almost impossible. There are event management plans, risk management plans and ecology reports. The amount of barriers local authorities are putting up is horrendous, and they make it difficult for communities to organise important events like this.