Ms Helen O'Rourke:

The funding we received last year was very important, as other speakers have alluded to. When we received it last year we were ready for the championship and we were able to pay travel expenses for the players. This is a challenge that we as associations must look at over the coming years. When one talks of equality and equity of investment from Government to our inter-county players, the associations must also look at that. I am aware that the ladies football and camogie do not have the same commercial power that the GAA has to invest in the GPA so that is going to be a challenge for our associations over the coming years.

On the facilities, given that we are looking at moving closer to the GAA and moving closer as one organisation with all the codes involved, I believe the way to go is to look at the facilities for all within that so it is not separating the women's games out to facilities on their own. This would only put a divide between us while we are trying to come closer together at this point.

I also fear for the participation of our youth and teenage players who have missed out on a year. Last year, with more people working at home and more people who had been working in Dublin moving back to their homes around the country, we actually saw an increase in adult membership. What will happen the youngsters, however, who have missed out on so much? It is important to get them and the teenagers back into enjoying the game again.