Eamonn Coghlan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

We always talk about schools. It is all about nipping the problem in the bud. The Points for Life initiative is about A, B and C, namely, agility, balance, co-ordination and cardiovascular skills. Food Dudes and other such programmes also come into play.

Schools are getting hit with everything but they do not want bleep tests because they do not want to show one child up against another. Schools do not want the step. When I say schools, I refer to the Department of Education and Skills. What the schools and Department are looking for is sustainability. With all due respect to "Operation Transformation", it is on for only six weeks. It has 600,000 viewers because it is a reality show.

These participants are stripping themselves down, physically and mentally, and fair play to them. They are motivated for six weeks.

The programme has been in operation for probably six years. What has changed in this nation in six years? Has the situation improved? No way. What we need to do is educate, through the medium of the schools, the NGOs, the NGBs and the communities. If we teach the fundamental movement skills and the agility skills to children - this is not about sports - we will find that their self-esteem and self-confidence will improve and the likelihood will increase of those children who did not get involved in sports at a younger age doing so now because they will have the confidence to be able to stand on one leg and close their eyes.