Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

We agree with all of what Mr. Treacy has said. That goes without saying. I was asking if the Sports Council has some criteria based on need in terms of the background of the people involved in a particular sport. I would extend that to boxing as well. Boxing is the other sport which is played by the Travelling community and people from disadvantaged backgrounds more than anywhere else, yet it does not get the same amount of funding as the big three. In terms of success at international competitions, we won five medals in the Olympics, four of which were for boxing. Therefore, on an international stage where we are competing with world athletes, 80% of our medal haul comes from boxing, as well as the fact that it is strongest in areas where there is obvious need because of the background of many of those involved in the sport.