Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Governance is being constantly worked on and improved. I acknowledge the role played by volunteers. Sports as we know it in Ireland would not function without hundreds of thousands of volunteers. These people give up their time and volunteer day in, day out and week in, week out to facilities sports for others. Volunteers are the heroes of Irish sport and they are often unsung heroes. I acknowledge that all over the country volunteers do enormous work with people of all ages and backgrounds.

On sports policy, we are trying to create an environment that is as amenable as possible to volunteers and participants in sports. By supporting them with finance, better structures and facilities and a more collaborative approach, we hope to encourage further volunteerism.