Ms Mary O'Connor:

I thank the Deputy. He made a very good point. These are also individual sports, but if one considers the Gaelic games family, the ladies football game is in its infancy. It is not even 50 years old yet, whereas its male counterpart is significantly older. There is learning and sharing of knowledge, but the one thing we should not get mixed up in is comparing ourselves to other sports, or comparing sports with sports. There are different ingredients that make them up. Sport in Ireland is growing exponentially among females. It is important that they see the opportunity to participate as equal to men. That starts not even in primary school, it starts at preschool. The national sports policy also points in that direction. We have a lot to take on board but there is a lot of sharing of knowledge by the NGBs and we are working together. Athletics have been working with ladies Gaelic football to develop physical literary skills. We are in a good place and it can only get better.