Mr. John Treacy:

A number of sports operate on an all-Ireland basis. We agree one plan for the Sports Council of Northern Ireland and the Irish Sports Council. This means there is one funding stream. There is real co-operation in terms of some of our high performance athletes on a North-South basis.

The gold standard was mentioned. The council constantly looks to what other countries are doing, from which it takes the best ideas. The gold standard is around the people involved in high performance. We have excellent performance directors and coaches who are funded by the system. Also, the institute of sport is constantly developing. The council's high performance unit is also developing. Gold standard status is about people and what is happening in terms of coaching in Ireland. This is about investment in people and then trying to keep them in the country. Other countries have in the past tried to steal our best coaches. However, we have managed to retain them in the country.

With regard to school sports, the big issue is philosophy around PE in primary schools. While the current PE curriculum is good, sufficient time is not being provided for it. One hour per week is not enough. Children need to engage in PE at least three or four times a week. Demand for this must come from parents. Physical education is an investment in children's health and well-being for life. We need to ensure this is underlined. On the spirit of the nation, I will remember for the remainder of my life Katie Taylor's winning of the gold medal. In terms of the spirit of the nation having been lifted during the Olympic Games, that is the picture that was taken home last summer.

It was fantastic.