Rugby, referendums and Balbriggan
Senator Reilly congratulated the rugby team, defended referendums as democratic, and then raised Balbriggan’s regeneration plan and public consultation. The chair briefly closed the exchange over interruptions.
I will try to keep my comments short and succinct and I hope without interruption.
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Indeed. I remind the Senator from Roscommon that the Government made a very strong bid, led by Hugo MacNeill and others, for the World Cup and was in the last three but did not succeed on this occasion. I congratulate the Irish Rugby and Football Union, IRFU, and the Irish rugby team on their fantastic win the other night. They have lifted the nation.
Referenda are the right of the people and there might be certain elements in this House who would like to keep the people in the dark and deprive them of a voice but I would not count myself among those.
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The high moral ground suits the Senator.
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I missed that because, thankfully, the acoustics here are not as good as they might be.
Balbriggan is a town of 25,000 people that has wonderful natural amenities and a public consultation will be launched next Monday in respect of a regeneration programme to which the public is invited. The plan is to spend over €22 million. It is an opportunity for the people of Balbriggan to have an input into the future of their town, our town, of Balbriggan with its wonderful coastline, beach, train station, access to the M1, etc. It is a very exciting plan and one that will hugely enhance the town but it can only be improved by more local input. I hope as many people as possible will go to that between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. next Monday in Balbriggan.
I also encourage Fingal County Council to make an application under the greenway scheme for the greenway from Malahide and Portmarnock all the way to Balbriggan. We have a fantastic coastline, six railway stations and the airport is beside us. It would be a wonderful amenity for the people of Dublin to be able to walk and cycle in safety. We all know our roads are not safe for families to go out cycling on, even in north county Dublin where many people enjoy the environment and the hills. Many cyclists tell me that is what it is all about. Will the Leader please ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to come to the House to have a debate on greenways and their health, well-being, tourism and economic advantages, and their benefit to the nation generally?