Pádraig Ó Céidigh (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I express a deep, sincere "Thank you" to all our guests for appearing before the committee. It is a special occasion because it is the first time that Rowing Ireland has presented to an Oireachtas committee, but also because of what Rowing Ireland does and how it inspires people whom its board members do not know and will never meet. In some cases, a board member could walk down a street 50 yd. away from a rower, and the latter might not see or hear what the former does.

We need inspiration in our country in many ways and people like the delegates to give it to us.

I am particularly grateful to the Chairman, the executive and my colleagues for totally supporting the request I made that the delegates come to address the committee and the people of Ireland. The proceedings are available live on the Oireachtas television channel. In Ireland we must all become much more aware of what the delegates do and the efforts they make. I speak specifically to Mr. Colclough, Ms Carpenter and Mr. Maxwell as members of the executive, as well as the team around them in terms of what they achieve. I will not speak for long now as it is not for me to speak for them.

Just over six years ago I had a heart attack and was quite ill. My heart stopped and I asked myself what I would do. When a great guy from Galway, Mr. Pádraig Bree, asked me to go rowing, I said I would never be able to do it, but I went and it was the finest thing I did in the six years since. I have met people from the Tribesmen rowing club who have inspired me to keep going and fighting, telling me that life is about what one can do, not the obstacles before us. Rowing Ireland does this for many people, including me. It is an incredible privilege that the delegates are here and they will be in the audiovisual room at 2 p.m. to address all Deputies and Senators on what Rowing Ireland is about, what its challenges are and what it has achieved with little or no resources. I got to know a little about what rowing was about a good few years ago as I went to school at the "Jes" in Galway where I used to teach I had some awareness of rowing. As I lived in Connemara, I had to get a bus in and out and did not have time to go training. I go to know some of the athletes, including incredible people like Sam Lynch and others. They put in huge effort and had pride in the jersey which is equal to that of any international athlete in any place. We are very privileged to have it.

The purpose of the meeting is to enable the delegates to share some of their story, what they are doing and trying to achieve. I also want the State to acknowledge this and give the financial support to which are entitled and deserve. They are punching so much above their weight without sufficient resources. It is incumbent on us to support Rowing Ireland properly, at least in order that its rowers can fight on a level playing field with the New Zealanders, the British and all other countries of the world that are receiving resources way over and above what they get here. I know that all of the athletes are dependent on their parents, families and friends just to get by. That is not good enough.