I wish to be associated with the vote of sympathy to the family of the late Anthony Foley whom I knew well because he was born in Limerick and went to St. Munchin's College. He was a member of Shannon Rugby Club, but I am afraid I support a club on the other side of the river. There has been great rivalry and banter for many years between the clubs. Anthony brought joy and commitment to sport in Limerick, Munster, Ireland and across Europe. It is so sad to read the tributes from all parts of the world because he had such an impact on the lives of many people. Our spokesman, Senator John O'Mahony, referred to the fact that he was such a great ambassador and mentor, especially for young people. I propose a vote of sympathy to his father, Brendan, who also gave many years of commitment to sport; his mother, Sheila; his sisters, Rosie who also played for Ireland and Orla; and Olive, his wife, and their two young sons. It was a sad day not only for the people of Limerick but also the people of Ireland and across Europe.

This month there is a recycling campaign. People can recycle their light bulbs and fridges for free. I encourage them to do so, given the effects of climate change which has been discussed in the House and is such a big issue.It

Ba mhaith linne i Sinn Féin chomh maith a bheith luaite leis na focla comhbhróin maidir le bás Anthony Foley, laoch rugbaí agus fear nach mbeidh a leithéid arís ann, de réir gach cosúlachta. On behalf of the Sinn Féin group, I wish to be linked with the sympathy being conveyed to the family and friends of the late Anthony Foley who was a hero on and off the pitch. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

I commend Irish Rural Link which presented us with a report earlier entitled, Poverty and Social Inclusion - the Case for Rural Ireland. It is new research, but it builds on previous research which shows, statistically, that if there is a recovery, it is very much a two-tier recovery and that rural Ireland is not feeling it in the same way as urban areas. The research builds on work done by Social Justice Ireland and the Vincentian Partnership, etc. The report demonstrates that the poverty rate is much higher in the Border, midlands and west regions, in particular, with one in five people experiencing rural poverty, half of whom experience it on an ongoing basis. It also highlights farm poverty, fuel and energy poverty and issues relating to services for women and children in rural Ireland and social inclusion. It is an important report which we should debate. In the context of fuel and energy policy, the greater cost of buying fuel in a rural area is highlighted because of transport costs, etc.

The other House is debating the issue of bogs again. It happens to coincide with letters that have been sent to turf cutters in Connemara who had been told that they would be allowed to continue in the traditional manner but who are now being told that they will have to pay for environmental impact statements to be produced if they are to continue. I would like to have a debate with the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Heather Humphreys, on turf cutting and these designations. Irish Rural Link has noted that it has been trying to secure a meeting with the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Shane Ross, to discuss rural transport. It is a serious issue and perhaps the Minister might be invited to the House in due course to discuss the issue and what his Department intends to do to make sure rural services will be improved and expanded and made more viable for people living in rural areas.

I join colleagues in expressing deep sympathy to the family and friends of Anthony Foley on his untimely and sad passing at the weekend. I never had the fortune or, indeed, misfortune to play against him, but my older brother did. In fact, he dislocated his shoulder trying to tackle him. Many in our club would say my brother never tried to tackle anyone ever again. Anthony Foley was a great servant to the entire rugby community, Munster and Ireland but also to his club, Shannon, as was his father, Brendan. It is about the club that I want to speak today. Will the Leader ask either the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Shane Ross, or the Minister of State, Deputy Patrick O'Donovan, to discuss the new wave of sports capital grants announced in the budget last week? Like others, I am disappointed that we will not be receiving a grant this side of Christmas, but I hold the hope we will receive a decent capital allocation under the grants scheme for 2017. The scheme is vital for sports clubs across Ireland, particularly at grassroots level. Many clubs in my area have benefited from the scheme and I would like the Minister to attend the House to explain when exactly the application process will open, the amounts available and everything else to do with the scheme.