Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I compliment the Minister of State on his positive report today. There was a recent example at international level concerning one of our athletes, Derval O'Rourke, who was deprived in the European championships of the third medal. She came in narrowly behind and was only a fraction of a second from winning the event. As it turned out we learned last week that the winning athlete was on high-performance drugs. It was a great let-down for the athlete concerned that she did not get up on the winners podium. It is a great honour for athletes, their families and the countries they represent to reach that level. Then, due to someone involved in a highly illegal process, they escape under the radar for so long.

It happened, it appeared, to Sonia O'Sullivan in the past, and to some other people, such as the wonderful athlete Senator Eamonn Coghlan. They are role models for everybody, in particular the youth of the country. It is shameful for it to happen, especially to athletes from a smaller country who may not be able to hit the higher echelons very often.

I agree with the Minister of State that our boxers are the model, in international terms, for what can be achieved from a small pool. They are high achievers and every compliment needs to be paid to Billy Walsh and his compatriot, whose name escapes me. They are wonderful ambassadors, together with their team of outstanding boxers. It demonstrates what we in this country can do.

I also commend the Minister of State on the moneys expended on various facilities and initiatives in these constrained times. He is achieving a lot. I hope the funding will be maintained. Money has been dispersed to small sports clubs around the country which were perhaps unsuccessful in the past. He is giving them an even break. What are his intentions for the next tranches of funding? Will they come on stream? We are all aware of the many good organisations and clubs which are still in need of vital facilities and backup.

Are we proactive in trying to get the rugby union world championship to locate in Ireland? I understand we will compete for future world rugby championships. We have the facilities and I am sure we have the goodwill of the GAA in co-operating with that.

I wish the Minister of State well in his endeavours.