I take this opportunity to offer my condolences to Brian O'Shea's wife, Eileen, and his six children. I did not have the pleasure of knowing him but I know he was a huge advocate for the Déise and for regional development and having investment in his own community and I commend him for that. Suaimhneas síoraí dá anam dílis. When Brian was an active politician, I suppose there was more trust in politicians and there was not the willingness to put up and to see money being squandered. I am looking forward to the debate later on the conditions that have given rise to these protests. One of the reasons is the squandering of money.

Tráthnóna inniu i gContae Shligigh - tonight, in Sligo - a Sligo woman, Mona McSharry, is to be conferred with the freedom of Sligo. Honours like this are very rarely bestowed on people. They are usually presented at the end of someone's career or maybe when a public figure has retired. Mona is still at the height of her powers. Unfortunately, I am going to miss it. I commend her because she set a new championship 200 m breaststroke record at the Irish Open a few days ago in Bangor. Hopefully she will represent Ireland at the European Championships in Paris in August. I want to talk about Mona today in the context of balanced regional development, which I have brought up previously. Mona was born in Grange, County Sligo. She trained in a 25 m pool in Ballyshannon, County Donegal. We have produced very strong swimming athletes in the north west. There are three 25 m pools in the region, in Carrick-on-Shannon, Ballyshannon and Sligo. Despite having no access to a 50 m pool, she is one of our shining glories and Olympians. There could not be a more fitting person to get the freedom of Sligo. I commend her not only on her ability in the pool but also on the determination and commitment she has shown in fighting against the odds and overcoming adversity. Maith thú, Mona; táimid go léir an-bhródúil asat.