Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I go back to the issue of how Sport Ireland has dealt with the FAI. There have been issues in other sports organisations in the past. They include most recently the Olympic Council of Ireland, the Irish Amateur Boxing Association, Basketball Ireland and Swim Ireland, all of which have had their funding cut at some stage. It might be better to say funding was suspended or that there was at least a threat that it would happen. I may be wrong, but a consistent approach is not taken in dealing with different sports bodies. If that is the case, is it not sending the wrong message? Let us examine the manner in which the FAI has treated Sport Ireland in the last fortnight. I am referring to the letters sent, the decision made without consultation on the new position created, the original letter which did not answer the question posed by Sport Ireland and the most recent letter which arrived at the eleventh hour. The FAI is not responding satisfactorily to the concerns of Sport Ireland and the requests made. That has been confirmed by Sport Ireland today. There is an inconsistency in the approach being taken.