Mr. John Treacy:

Our views are on record from when we appeared before this committee. On that occasion we explained that if one took away such funding at this moment it would have a very detrimental effect on sport, particularly on two of the main field sports organised by the FAI and the IRFU, but not so much on the GAA. The removal of such funding would be a critical issue. Funding and attendance numbers are down all around, so this is not the time to remove the sponsorship. That is what the Minister has said, and the sports council is saying that this is not the time to be looking at the matter.