Margaret Murphy O'Mahony (Fianna Fail)

Today I wish to raise the subject of the lack of public toilets nationally. A lot of councillors have been on to me on behalf of their constituents, members of the public have been on to me, and people who own bars throughout the country have been on to me. It is a no-brainer really that people should be able to relieve themselves when they want to and not have to go into the premises of hardworking publicans who have to pay to clean their bathrooms and clean their facilities. It is not fair. Often these people just wish to use the bathroom and not spend money, for various reasons. Maybe they do not have it on the day or maybe they do not feel like having a drink or a coffee or whatever. Publicans are finding it very hard to say "No", especially to the older generation. I would like to see a national campaign to increase the number of public toilets throughout the country. A lot of people just want to meet to have a walk around. Again, they may not wish to purchase a coffee and use the facilities in a coffee shop. In this day and age when there is so much talk about mental health, it is important that people can meet up for a walk, but the lack of facilities is stopping this throughout the country.