Gareth Scahill (Fine Gael)

In a totally unrelated way, I too want to raise the work of Croí here today. I was not at the information session Senator Rabbitte attended last week, but on Friday last I was involved in the first Croí 5 km run-walk held outside Galway as a fundraiser.The organisation's major fundraiser, which supported all the amazing work Senator Rabbitte spoke about, took place last Friday night in Salthill. We ran the first one to be held outside of Galway in County Roscommon and it was the first such event to be held there. As Senator Rabbitte said, Croí's mission is to prevent heart disease and strokes, save lives and empower and support families, communities and future generations to take control of their health and well-being.

I highlight this particular event because events like these do not just happen overnight. Generally, someone has an idea. Some family member, neighbour or friend has experienced the support, help and assistance of an organisation such as Croí. I acknowledge the volunteers in County Roscommon, and in Castlerea specifically, who arranged this event last Friday night at 8 p.m. Susan Gaynor, Yvonne Ryan, Breege Callahan, Nial Tully and I formed the initial committee. I also wish to highlight that the transition year students of Castlerea Community School came on board. In organising a night-time event, they got involved in organising something they did not know much about, including health and safety, promotion and fund-raising. They took ownership of it, engaged and delivered what everyone who attended last Friday night agreed was a safe, engaging and very enjoyable evening. We are already talking about making this an annual event to support everything Senator Rabbitte just said about the delivery from Croí.

Senator Nelson Murray spoke earlier about the shortage of blood stocks in Ireland now and called for a debate on this matter. Effectively, the Senator was calling for more education on this matter. We need the very same discussion in relation to Croí and the work the organisation does to prevent heart disease and strokes. It would be very useful if a debate in this regard could be facilitated.