Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The uachtarán and the ard-stiúrthóir have outlined a marvellous success story for us. That story is a testament to the leadership provided by Croke Park over the years and to the volunteers who run clubs on the various continents. Mr. O'Neill is due to complete his term of office next weekend and I compliment him on a very successful presidency. I am sure he will enjoy the meeting of congress in Ballyconnell at the weekend. I welcome the ongoing and important support provided by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to the various groups involved.

We often discuss the possibility of extending votes in elections here to members of the diaspora. It goes to show the increasing relevance and importance of the diaspora that its members will be able to vote in elections for president and other offices within the GAA in the future. That is a welcome development.

Where GAA clubs abroad do not have their own playing facilities, do they encounter difficulties in terms of accessing suitable facilities? Where public facilities are available, are they allowed to use them? In recent years I had the opportunity to watch London senior footballers play in the qualifiers at Croke Park. I also watched the New York women's team play in the All-Ireland junior final. There is a major cost involved in such teams travelling here to compete in the end stages of championships or whatever. Is the GAA in a position to provide financial assistance to the clubs - or counties, if one wants to refer to them in that way - which reach the ultimate stages of competitions?

Féile na nGael is an important event in the GAA's calendar. I recall attending it in Cavan many years ago, when both New York and London were represented. Is the GAA able to encourage greater participation in Féile na nGael on the part of clubs from the various continents?

Mr. O'Neill stated that GAA clubs have taken on the role previously played by county associations in the past. From attending county association meetings in Cavan and Monaghan, I am aware that, unfortunately, the age profile has increased substantially. I would not like the county associations to go out of existence. I hope that the existing architecture can be maintained and that there is a good working relationship between clubs and county associations. I am aware that they do not exactly dovetail with each other but it would be important that as great a level of co-operation as possible be maintained.

Reference was made to Gaelic Park in New York. For those of us who spent time working in that city when we were students, Gaelic Park was our refuge at weekends for many years. Is that facility still privately owned or is it owned by the New York county board?

Deputies Quinn, Durkan and I, among others, have raised the issue of the long wave radio service to Britain on previous occasions. RTE has indicated its intention to retain the service for a period. In that context, it was mentioned that funding from the emigrant support programme could assist in ensuring that the service will continue. I do not believe we should go down that route. Huge demands will always be placed on the emigrant support programme, the funding from which is put to very good use. I presume our guests have made their concerns with regard to the continuation of the long wave radio service known to RTE. Many people who are based in Britain and elsewhere, and even those north of the Border, are reliant on the service in order to obtain GAA results from home. I hope our guests will continue to exert pressure on RTE in the context of ensuring that the service remains in place.

What our guests outlined in their presentation speaks for itself, it is a marvellous success story. I wish Cumann Lúthchleas Gael continued success.