Birthday wishes and housing
After brief birthday pleasantries, the Deputy Leader replies to Senator Davitt on roads, transport, and housing, noting institutional constraints, supporting rural housing, and mentioning Eamon Ó Cuív's forthcoming celebration. The Chair closes by wishing the Deputy Leader's brother a happy birthday and welcoming visitors to the Gallery.
He wants a year of celebrations. We could have that as well. In fact, his birthday is on Thursday so we are having lunch in Leinster House because this is the place he felt he would want to be to celebrate. All here are welcome to come in and sing “Happy Birthday”.
Senator Davitt also spoke about national roads and that we need a debate on TII. When it comes to roads and transport, we are in a difficult situation because we have TII and we have the NTA, which, to a certain extent, operate at a remove from the Department of Transport. We need to have a strong debate about the Department and the linkages to TII and the NTA to make sure Government policy is rolled out as intended because, unfortunately, that is not always the case.
Senator Boyhan spoke about the Gettysburg flag. I agree with him 100%. For visitors to Leinster House, and not just delegations from the USA or VIPs but also the schools we bring in, and for friends, supporters and others from our communities, being able to witness that was really something special. It is important we have it reinstated. We will send a formal request from the Leader's office to ensure it is reinstated. I understand there were restoration works going on with it.
Comment on this
We will get an update on that. The Senator is right about rural housing. It is hugely important in my own county and throughout the country. We need to see rural communities survive and thrive. We cannot do that at the moment with the stringent conditions there are on rural housing. I acknowledge former Deputy, Eamon Ó Cuív, who did a lot of good work and put a lot of good policies in place. I understand there is a big celebration in Galway on Saturday night of his many years of service to Leinster House, to the people of his constituency, and to the people of the country while he was a Minister. I wish him well with that. Developing rural communities has to be a priority for us all. I support the call and we will look for that debate.
