I join in the congratulations to the 883 Tidy Towns committees the length and breadth of the country. It is appropriate that we mention them in the Seanad because they do Trojan work. Our colleague Senator Ned O'Sullivan was a founder member of the Tidy Towns committee in Listowel, a town which received 339 marks. That said, my village of Castlecoote received 337, which is very good. It also received a gold medal.

Well done.

Our premises were also commended, which is rather nice. I commend the committee. I will not mention names, but Keadue received 336 marks; Ballintubber, 327; and Clontuskert, 325. They all performed very well. Westport again scored very well, while Portrunny received an endeavour award medal. We should praise the dedication of the people involved. Roscommon town received 326 marks. Our colleague Councillor Kathleen Shanagher is chairperson of the committee. I say, "Well done," to the volunteers the length and breadth of the country for the enormous improvements achieved. Driving through the towns of Ireland one can see that the ones with active Tidy Towns committees look stunning.

I also praise a fellow Roscommon man, Mr. J. P. McManus, who has dedicated €3.2 million to the GAA. That is €100,000 to every GAA county board in Ireland. It is an unprecedented and incredible gesture, and we should praise him for doing what he is doing in Adare. People can criticise him all they like but it is one of the most fantastic gestures of a successful Irishman, with whom we should all be delighted to be associated. I knew his uncle, Owen, who died in 2010, whom Mr. McManus used to visit regularly and bring around the Arignagh village valley in his lovely helicopter. He used to drop in a bottle of whiskey, and he also brought stone from Arignagh to his place. I compliment him, his wife Noreen and his family for a lovely gesture to all the GAA people in Ireland. I say "Well done" to Mr. McManus and may he have continued success.

I would like to be associated with the congratulations to the Tidy Towns committees across the country. Yesterday was a great day for recognising the exceptional work that is done by volunteers through the energy, time and commitment they give to ensuring villages and towns look so well. As Senator Leyden has rightly said, we have had good success in Roscommon. Roscommon town, Castlecoote, Kilteeven, Ballintober, Athleague, Portrunny, Keadew, Tarmonbarry and Cloontuskert have all done exceptionally well. While they may not have received awards, many other towns and villages have also increased their marks, which emphasises that further improvements have been made.

Having been involved in many clean-ups and with Tidy Towns over the past few years, I know that it is important that we see further targeted measures to deal with illegal dumping, particularly in rural areas. I know the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment has been proactive in providing funding to assist with major clean-ups where volunteers are unable to access these spots, which is welcome, but we need targeted approaches to deal with prevention rather than clean-ups. Once again, I compliment all who have been involved.