I join speakers who have wished the staff a very happy Christmas and thank them for the services they have provided during the years. I support today the Federation of Irish Sport which has, under the auspices of Mr. Bernard Brogan, called for the sharing of income raised from the sports betting tax among all sports not just between horse and dog racing. While both are very enjoyable, all sports serve us equally. In conjunction with a debate on that, I call for a debate on the problems that gambling, particularly online, brings. Gambling is becoming more popular, particularly online. No country can stop it, but we should be aware of the dangers of it also. The taxes raised should be shared among all sports equally and not just greyhound and horse racing. I call for a debate on both issues.

Guím gach dea-ghuí ar an gCathaoirleach agus ar Cheannaire an Tí, ar mo chomhghleacaithe anseo agus ar an bhfoireann atá tar éis freastal thar barr orainn ar feadh na bliana. Go dté siad slán i mbliana. I wish everyone the good wishes of the season and thank the staff and the Cathaoirleach.

I note that Samaritans brought us back to earth with a bang when it gave us a presentation the other day on its services. I commend it for the services it delivers and note that while Christmas can be a difficult time for many, there are those like Samaritans who do incredible work to support people. The new helpline 116 123 is available through the winter season and it also has a line for the North - 008457 909090 - for those who find themselves in need of support. Its message was it had seen a 50% increase since they were introduced. It put a great deal of this down to the fact that the telecommunications companies were actually supporting the helplines. We must commend the companies for the work they are doing and ask them to continue to support them as there is a finite date on them. I commend all of the volunteers and those who support this vital service.

I raise with the Leader an issue which is coming to the fore and needs to be addressed quickly with the Minister for Education and Skills. It relates to nominations from ETBs to the boards of management of local schools. It is particularly affecting rural areas and Irish medium schools because there is a limit of 20 km being imposed by the Department of Education and Skills on members who are eligible to sit on a board of management. In an area like Connemara, most of the schools are more than 20 km apart and many people are simply ruled out of sitting on the board of management of any school. Boards are finding it very difficult to find people to sit on them which issue is compounded in Irish language medium schools and Gaelscoileanna given the limited number of Irish speakers on ETBs. It is a huge problem to get people onto boards and the issue needs to be addressed. The gender quota system is causing issues in County Donegal. While I welcome the quota, it appears a great deal of pressure is being put on female councillors in County Donegal to go on the board of the ETB, even though they do not want to do so. That issue also needs to be addressed.

I would welcome a debate on these issues. I ask the Leader to intervene with the Minister for Education and Skills as soon as he can. I also ask for a debate on the future of rural schools in spring and on the future of Irish language education and Irish medium education. Nollaig Shona a cháirde ar fad.