Kevin O'Keeffe (Cork East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We could spend all day offering plaudits on Rowing Ireland's success. Ms Carpenter referred to Irish rowing punching above its weight. We all have to acknowledge that. Rowing Ireland even punched above its weight in getting to appear before this committee. It was only March 2018 when its former CEO, Mr. Hamish Adams, presented to us on behalf of minority sports.

The topic of national television coverage was mentioned. When I was a young man, we always used to watch swimming, gymnastics, rowing and perhaps one or two other sports at the Olympics outside of the field and track events. Coverage has grown immensely since.

I wish to clarify something that was said about participation in the upcoming Olympics. Is Rowing Ireland limited by the number of boats or by time qualification? If each of its athletes achieved a qualifying time for the Olympics, how would participation be limited? It was mentioned that, owing to the increase in the number of athletes going to the Olympics due to an increase in the number of sports, Rowing Ireland was being forced to reduce its participation at a time when it was becoming more successful in terms of qualification times. Ms Carpenter might elaborate on that point.

I am a Corkman and the most well-known rowing club near to me is in Fermoy. I will not go into the water difficulties it faces because of the problem with the weir, but it puts on a tremendous show, has great volunteers and supplies good athletes. Famous names down through the years include Mr. Gearóid Towey and Fr. Pat Rice. A great deal of work has gone into it, as has capital investment. It is okay for the athlete, but the rowing club has to pay for the boats. Submissions have been made to the Government, including by representatives on Rowing Ireland's behalf, about getting a VAT reduction on equipment. That would be a major plus.

Another issue is funding. I note Rowing Ireland's concerns about sponsorships going to larger sporting events. There is a suggestion that philanthropic bodies be given a tax exemption to supply it with funding. That has been advocated for by one of the umbrella organisations, the Federation of Irish Sport.

The Government launched its sport policy document just over 12 months ago. Everyone signed up to it.

Is Rowing Ireland happy that it is going the right way from its perspective? Could it go faster? Should more be done within that policy document to enable Rowing Ireland's support to progress further? I acknowledge Rowing Ireland's point about regulatory compliance. As that causes enormous expense for Rowing Ireland, has it been taken into account when funding is being allocated by Sport Ireland and other bodies? I wish Rowing Ireland every success. I am delighted to see the witnesses in attendance. We have many aspiring rowers for the years ahead present. Maybe some of them have medals already in juvenile competition. We wish them all the best.