Gareth Scahill (Fine Gael)

I rise today following a visit to Ballaghaderreen in west Roscommon last Friday with Deputy Grace Boland for the unveiling of a mural dedicated to her father and his enactment, as Minister for Education in the early 1980s, of the abolition of corporal punishment. It was very poignant on the day to hear it was not a very popular suggestion when he brought it up. However, he did it because, as a politician, he knew it was the right thing to do. It was 15 or 20 years later that we realised the impact of the decision he made. I acknowledge that. I also acknowledge Councillor Micheál Frain and the committee of An Bealach, who are doing great rural regeneration work in Ballaghaderreen and came up with this idea.

While I speak of Ballaghaderreen, I also recognise the mediation that took place over recent weeks with regard to public realm works in the town. The business community stood up for the elder community and their customers and worked out with a mediator an acceptable compromise for public realm design. It is great to see that all parties came to the table, including Councillors Micheál Frain and Liam Callaghan. The mediation was successful and that will now be completed in Ballaghaderreen to enhance the centre of the town.