Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I note the expenditure under subhead D5, namely, Sport Ireland, has dropped from €72 million to €52 million. Can the Minister inform the committee why there has been such a big drop from the 2016 amount? What was the basis for this?

I thank Mr. John Treacy and his staff. I was one of the committee members who had an opportunity to visit Abbotstown. The facilities are second to none. I only hope that phase 2 can be completed as soon as possible.

I am somewhat concerned that not only the boxing coaches but other coaches who would be hoping to prepare our teams for the next Olympic Games are being approached by other countries. Are they being pulled by the salaries for coaches? I always judge Ireland by the performance of New Zealand. New Zealand had a fantastic Rio Olympics. I would not like us to lose a lot of the coaches who will be training our Olympians for the next Olympic Games.