Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

The real leverage is the money. We can see that the dynamic changed when the money was withheld. A sizeable grant was allocated and quite a debate took place between the Department, Sport Ireland and the FAI; I do not begrudge a penny of it as it was totally needed for women's football. There was an opportunity for leverage there to insist on that change. Does the Minister regret that he did not do so? He has said that he does not have much power. However, we can see there is great power when money is withheld.