I sincerely congratulate all the groups that were successful in the TidyTowns competition, the results of which were announced yesterday by the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Deputy Ring. It is wonderful to see so many volunteers and committees that work tirelessly throughout the year to improve our local surroundings. It is important they are recognised for their work. Many volunteers give much energy, time, commitment and dedication to ensuring that our villages and towns look good, and give residents and visitors a sense of pride of place. It is very positive to see many towns and villages - not just the winners - improve in respect of the marks they were awarded. I congratulate all the groups throughout County Roscommon and east County Galway that were successful and have improved. It is important that TidyTowns groups be supported and it is positive that the Minister has allocated a further €1.4 million to support their work, which is not just about flower arrangements. There is a strong focus on recycling and biodiversity and TidyTowns groups constantly strive to do better in all the categories each year.

It is positive that the subject of history will be given special status in the junior cycle.

As we have heard, that decision was made by the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy McHugh, this morning. History is a very important subject for students. It allows them to learn valuable lessons from our past and to ensure further mistakes are not made. We are living history at the moment in respect of the challenges surrounding Brexit. It is important for students to learn from our past. We must ensure important lessons are taught and that we move in a better direction.

I am delighted to be able to stand here to celebrate the great news day in County Monaghan yesterday. Glaslough, County Monaghan, was named winner of the 2019 SuperValu national TidyTowns competition. It beat off competition from more than 918 entries nationally to take the award for Ireland's tidiest village and the overall national award for Ireland's tidiest town. It is the second time in Glaslough's history that it has scooped the overall award having first won the prestigious competition in 1978. It was great to be there last night to see some of the main organisers from the 1978 win celebrating again. Glaslough has a great record in the TidyTowns competition and in putting its best foot forward. It won the tidiest small village award last year and represented Ireland in the Entente Florale Europe Competition 2017, where it took first place also. It is a remarkable achievement for a small village and testament to the commitment, dedication, passion and hard work of the Glaslough TidyTowns committee and volunteers. One of the pleasing aspects of the win is the number of young people who were involved. The children from both local schools have embraced all that is good about Glaslough and TidyTowns and I was delighted to see so many of them at last night's event. They all look forward eagerly to the visit of President Higgins in June 2020 to celebrate their magnificent achievement. To continue the theme of good news for Monaghan, Carrickmacross in the south of the county came in the top three in the larger town category. Carrickmacross TidyTowns committee has also launched Ireland's first reverse vending machine for plastic bottles. It is a fantastic initiative for which the committee deserves great credit. I ask the Government to take note of the initiative, which is one which might be rolled out nationally.

It was great to see a local village and a local town in County Monaghan make the national news headlines for all the right reasons. It was a positive news story and it was uplifting to see. I pay tribute to the hard work that went into getting to that level in a competition. There were long hours over many years that were finally rewarded in Glaslough yesterday. As Senator Hopkins said in her contribution, there is more to TidyTowns than picking up litter and floral displays. There is biodiversity, recycling and much more involved and great credit is deserved for that. In my book, all 918 entrants to the competition are winners. As a society, we are deeply indebted for all of the voluntary work people put into TidyTowns. As I left Glaslough late last night after a very enjoyable event, I said I would invite the Cathaoirleach, the Leader and all Members of the Seanad to come and see for themselves the beauty the village has to offer. I am sure the people there will open their arms to Senators who would all be enriched by the visit.

I took great pride watching the TidyTowns programme last night on television.

It is a wonderful competition and I enjoyed seeing the various towns and villages throughout Ireland competing. They looked amazing and we should be very proud. It is a great competition that brings out the best of community efforts. I congratulate Senator Gallagher on the success of Glaslough, County Monaghan, but many other towns were also very close to the mark.

We should all take up the invitation Senator Gallagher has extended. The village is a leader for us all.

Perhaps there should be a special sitting of the Seanad there.