Mr. David Conway:

In terms of minority sports, the national indoor arena gives them an opportunity to showcase their national championships. Currently, governing bodies of sports are trying to find a home for their national championships. We have athletics in Morton Stadium and we have the Aviva Stadium, Croke Park and so forth. There is no opportunity for certain sports to showcase and plan their national championships. In our research with all the governing bodies, more than 20 national governing bodies have been consulted about their requirements for an indoor arena. We have put 1,500 bleacher seats into that arrangement, so that is their normal national spectator turnout. We are giving them an opportunity to showcase their sport, and it has been very well received. Gymnastics Ireland, in particular, has no national facility at present. If one goes to a gymnastics club, and my daughter participates in gymnastics, the club must pull out the mats and pull them back in. How is that supposed to enhance or develop that sport? The national gymnastics centre is the one-stop-shop in gymnastics facilities. We are also making sure that the sport can be showcased in the national sports hall so it has a venue in which to showcase. When one can showcase one's sport, it encourages participation, sponsorship and the development of the sport. That is one of the major intangible benefits a national indoor arena will offer.