Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

First, I acknowledge how important Sligo Rovers FC is to soccer in the north west. The team has a proud and strong tradition. We spoke earlier about Limerick FC and there is also Cork City FC in the case of Deputy Jonathan O'Brien. Clubs are very important to their fans and to the people who live locally. The structure of the League of Ireland and the prize money are matters for the FAI, not for the Government. We had a stakeholders forum in May and there were discussions about the league and all the things that need to happen. Ultimately, however, the FAI must have its house in order for all these matters to be resolved.

I have my own ideas on how I would like to see the league proceeding, what I think might be a better way forward for the league and so forth. It is not the role of the Minister or the Department to set preconditions or to advise on the league, however, it is a matter for the FAI to get it right. We know it is not performing next or near where it could be performing. I believe there is far greater potential for the League of Ireland, but this is something that would have to be done internally. That is why it is so important that there are proper structures in place and that the voice of the grassroots, supporters, volunteers and all the people who make soccer possible in this country would be heard and have an avenue to impact on decision making. It is clear that has not been happening and that is a big problem.