Many sectors need continued support

A New Year message from Deputy Niamh Smyth, Fianna Fáil...

Looking forward to 2021 against the backdrop of the last nine months is challenging for all of us. However, Bernard Williams' quotation “There was never a night or a problem that could defeat sunrise or hope” is my message for the New Year. I base this on your resilience, faith, support of each other and the community spirit you have shown in abundance over the past year. I believe and trust that we will rise to the occasion again in the year ahead.

I have many objectives going forward and my first priority is to continue to provide a warm helpful service for all constituents. Advice and support will be forthcoming on all issues and please feel welcome to contact us.

Obviously, our journey through the pandemic has dominated our health service and a massive thank you to all health care workers who have put ‘people’ first. It is deeply appreciated and valued. In the year ahead, we need to balance other serious health issues within the ‘new normal’ to prevent life-threatening diseases prematurely adding to the death toll.

In this regard the toll on carers resulting from reduced capacity and lack of a full service has impacted severely on all service users and carers. Returning the service to a higher level is a priority to give carers much-needed respite in 2021.

All businesses endured an incredibly challenging past year especially the retail and hospitality sectors. They have borne the brunt of every lockdown and our support of them as a government must be effective and meaningful. As individuals, we must help to sustain them by shopping locally and buying Irish over this coming year.

As chair of the Committee on Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht, I am going to pursue the necessity for gender balance in sports funding by governing bodies in the coming months. This is an equality matter with a resolution quickly required before the new playing season commences.

Our Arts community is on life support at the moment with thousands of artists of all forms now out of work. I will promote to government their invaluable role within society and the obligation to continue financial support once the threat posed by COVID-19 passes.

Our tourism industry is in the same predicament and will equally get my full support towards recovery.

I empathise and sympathise with our youth whose mental health has suffered during the pandemic. This is reflected in the increasing suicide rates among young people. We have all felt the desolation and emptiness. If anyone feels burdened by the future, I would encourage and plead with you to access help. There are wonderful groups like SOSAD, Jigsaw, Pieta House, Childline, BeLonGTo, Reach Out etc to help you through any crisis. I am working to develop and streamline a coordinated mental health system within Cavan/Monaghan.

I congratulate our elderly who have used their life experience to cope with all the strains and stresses of the pandemic. You are heroes.

Finally, I hope you all had a peaceful and holy Christmas and here's to a better year in 2021 and please stay safe and healthy.