Is the Deputy sure he does not want the gardens?

We are looking for the gardens.

Which amendment is this? I am sorry, I am trying to follow.

It was.

A very welcome signal went out to clubs this week about their applications. I welcome the Minister of State's very strong focus on equality of participation. There is an outdated attitude evident which, thankfully, I think is disappearing. "Keep those girls off the good grass" is one of the things we hear in some of the more outdated places. To return to Deputy Stanton's query, Tramore is a case in point in that the availability of land is incredibly tight. I have a rugby club that is dying to get its hands on a sp…

The Minister of State has sent out an extremely strong signal about equality of participation. Clubs will be very wise to listen carefully to what he is saying to ensure they can draw down the full funding available to them. Deputy Durkan referred to capacity within clubs. We all have helped to review application forms for sports clubs applying for funding. The difference is clear between those clubs that have somebody who is very good at filling in application forms, who leaves no scoring criterion behind, versus …

This question builds on my question in the previous grouping. It relates to two new streams of funding that are being made available for sports clubs. The first is the new fund for outdoor sports equipment, called the participation nation outdoor fund, which is very welcome. Given my political background, I am especially interested in the amuigh faoin spéir biodiversity measures now being funded at sports clubs. That initiative is really welcome as there is huge pent-up demand. A lot of people from different clubs …

I do indeed know this area well. I recently called out to Tycor AFC, which is located just outside Waterford city. It is a big sporting complex, a lot of which is just green grass and playing pitches. The club is looking for a little help and support in terms of what can be done to make the place a little more wildlife friendly, apart from for the rabbits which keep digging up the playing surface, but that is a different matter. I was trying to say to get in contact with the council, which has an arborist and can a…

I focused on the biodiversity element in my first contribution. I think the outdoor sports equipment fund is excellent too. I would like to see an intergenerational focus. We see many active retirement groups using the outdoor exercise equipment. It is great to see that happening. The places I see it happen most successfully are where they are co-located with playground equipment. The parents are often stuck at the playground, getting frozen. At least they would have something to do while the lads are on the swings…

I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." In doing so, I am moving that the Bill, entitled an Act to provide for the establishment of a body to be known in the Irish language as an Coimisiún um Ghlúnta sa Todhchaí or in the English language as the Commission for Future Generations for the purpose of reporting to the Government in relation to the establishment of an Office of Ombudsman for Future Generations and to provide for related matters, be read a Second Time. Anyone who has ever had a hangover will u…

I thank the Cathaoirleach Gníomhach. I do not propose to hold all the long-suffering Members quite as long as that. I thank all the Members who have attended to make a contribution this evening. This is very much the graveyard shift, a Thursday evening before recess, and I know all Members would prefer to be out on doorsteps and making the case for future candidates in our local and European elections.

I appreciate the time they have given to be here this evening. I have found the debate very constructive and interesting, and I am glad the Cathaoirleach Gníomhach found it so as well. I am glad there is, for the most part, a consensus developing around the idea that this could be a useful approach. The Minister spoke about the steps we, as a Government, have taken to move beyond GDP, that simple conception of how we measure the success of our economy through material throughput. That is an essential piece of work …

I wish to advise the House of the following matters in respect of which notice has been given under Standing Order 37 and the name of the Member in each case: Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú - To discuss the recent cancellations of the 100X bus service in Dundalk. Deputy David Stanton - To discuss upgrading the N25 national road in east Cork. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire - To discuss the need for a school bus for the Douglas area in Cork city. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan - To discuss SET hours allocation. Deputy Richard B…

I thank the Deputy.

The Deputy's time has elapsed. I call on the Minister to respond.

The Taoiseach said that road safety would be a priority of his tenure. We have had significant loss of life on the roads this year - 79 people to date with a bank holiday weekend looming. Beneath that headline are many accidents, collisions and injuries, many of which are life-changing. The Minister of State, Deputy Chambers, has commissioned a report on the Road Safety Authority to make recommendations on the future structure and operation of the authority, including potential legislative changes to ensure it deli…

When they bring a child into the world, every parent does so with the same mixture of hope and trepidation. We have the same hopes and fears as we take that tiny bundle into our arms, as we consider the enormous and fragile potential of that human life. We hold in our mind's eye the milestones we hope to witness, the graduations, weddings, arrival of grandchildren, skinned knees, lost teeth and broken hearts. We pray in our hearts that we can help them steer that course into adulthood safely and in good health and …

National parks are a bit like buses; you wait 25 years for one and two of them come along at once. The addition of Páirc Náisiúnta na Mara, Ciarraí and Páirc Náisiúnta Bhrú na Bóinne to our store of national parks will be one of the enduring legacies of this Government. While I am unequivocally in favour of these new designations, I cannot turn a blind eye to the fact that there is not actually a legislative underpinning for our national parks. The national biodiversity action plan sets as one of its objectives to …

Not at all.

I move: That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to make provision for the protection of hedgerows, to confer power on the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to make regulations for the protection of significant hedgerows and for the establishment of a register of significant hedgerows, to prohibit the removal of significant hedgerows except in specified circumstances, to make provision for an appeals procedure and for offences for infringement of this Act and regulations made…