Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I would have the same concerns as the Deputy. I would prefer to see money spent on sport rather than on consultants but sometimes there is a need for consultants to be hired in specific instances. It is a standard provision for State bodies and was previously included in both the Irish Sports Council Act 1999 and the National Sports Campus Development Authority Act 2006 so it is nothing new. In future, the chairman of the Irish Sports Council will have to consult with the Department in respect of the hiring of consultants because I would prefer to see money spent on sport rather than on consultants. There are times when it is necessary to get consultants in to advise us on different issues.