Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the representatives of the two bodies for their presentations. I have seen massive improvements in the facilities. I have been to the National Aquatic Centre on a number of occasions. Unfortunately, I could not attend the Abbotstown launch but I would have loved to have been there. The facilities there are fantastic.

Many questions have been answered by the witnesses on the work both bodies have done up to now on the complex and its expansion. The plans for the future are fantastic and will enhance sport. There was a reference to funding from the private sector. The bodies are funded by the Government, but do the witnesses see a further role in expanding the contribution from the private sector?

Will there be a loss of identity with this merger? Everybody appears to be happy with it, but will the roles of the individuals in each organisation change? Will they continue to focus on the areas on which they have been working? The witnesses spoke about expanding roles and the areas they can examine. I have been involved in karate all my life; I have always been interested in that sport. It is a minority sport. It is not recognised in the Olympic Games, but there is a possibility it might happen in the near future. I was at the disco dancing in Ashbourne recently and there were hundreds of children at it. Do the witnesses envisage these types of activity being included as well? These big competitions are taking place all over the country. Is there a bigger role in that regard?

I agree that there should be a single recognised voice for sports. It is important for conveying the message as we should all sing from the one hymn sheet. It is in the interests of everybody to get the sports facilities and to have a voice that we can recognise and consult. Is there much duplication? Can duplication be cut as a result of the merger? The witnesses say there are not many savings as a result of the amalgamation.

I agree that reaching out to the schools is an issue that must be examined further. As John Treacy said, there are different areas in the schools. Not every child is interested in activities, but we must have programmes in the schools whereby children do exercise of some description. It need not necessarily be sport related. They can do other things in the schools. Do the witnesses see a role in pushing that further?

On the issue of match-fixing and doping, the witness says we need legislation. Could she give us a better idea of what is required? It need not be now, but perhaps she could give us some idea of how that can be done and put into a legislative format. It could be forwarded to the committee. When this Bill is being considered we can raise the issues. It is an important area.

Child protection is a huge issue. Obviously, every sporting body has its rules. Does the Irish Sports Council have a way of monitoring that? Does it have an input in that regard, given that it is funding different groups? Does it ensure that everything is above board in these bodies?