Eamonn Maloney (Dublin South West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the delegations from both organisations. We are in a post-Billy Walsh period. The Chairman rightly said at the beginning that, irrespective of what committee members say or do today, we cannot change what has happened. I had two questions, but the Chairman asked one and Deputy Dooley stole the other so I will go straight to my comments.

I am a great admirer of the Irish Amateur Boxing Association. Any organisation that has survived for 104 years and which was built on voluntary contribution must be admired. Mr. Christle said he and his colleagues get no remuneration for what they do and that their contribution is voluntary. My heart and soul are with them. One of the great characteristics of the association is the volunteering. Anyone who examines the merits and collective and individual achievements of boxers in the North and South must admire them, bearing in mind the population is so small.

If what has happened is the only oversight or downfall in 104 years, the association has had a great history. Amateur boxing is almost exclusively a phenomenon in working class communities. I am lucky because there are a number of boxing clubs in the community in which I live. One club, St. Mary's in Tallaght, is almost on my doorstep. I am not a member. It was a bit too polite for me so I got into politics. The club has done a great service for local kids year on year, all on a voluntary basis. I admire the amateur aspect.

I referred to the collective achievements of the association. This country almost came to a standstill in 2012 when Katie Taylor won a gold medal. People walked out of their workplaces and half the nation got drunk. I do not know which half. We were all clapping and admiring the great achievement. Likewise, the whole nation came to a standstill in 1992 when Michael Carruth won his gold medal. Whatever some people here might say about the funding of amateur boxing, the sport has been the poor relation of others over a long period in terms of investment. Without being too ideological about it, one should consider what is allocated for sports of a different code. I refer to the funding given to sports that are more identified with middle class communities. In this regard, amateur boxing has been sold short.

I have a sense of déjà vu. Interestingly, this is the second post mortemI have been to as a member of this committee. Most of us were here in July of last year when some country singer by the name of Garth Brooks, of whom I had never heard, did not make it to Ireland because things went wrong.

He made an offer that he would swim across to meet the Taoiseach. I am not sure if he ever got here. I congratulate the Minister of State, Deputy Ring, who kept it low key. I would have thought that at one stage last weekend, we would have caught sight of the Taoiseach jumping off Belmullet Pier heading for Colorado to drag Billy Walsh back but that did not happen.

On a more serious note, I know the IABA team is going to Poland next month. I wish to associate myself with what will, hopefully, be a proud outcome in the bouts in Poland and I have no doubt they will do this country proud. I have complimented the IABA for its legacy for 104 years. As an admirer of what Billy Walsh has done for boxing in Ireland, I also compliment him.