Ms Mary O'Connor:

I will come in there if that is okay.

In the 20x20 campaign, 26 of the 29 third level institutions on the island of Ireland signed up to increase women's participation and the numbers of officials, etc. That was telling and it demonstrated that an appetite existed. Dr. May or Ms Stapleton may have the figures. It is also important to ensure girls’ lifelong involvement in sport beyond third level. To do that, it is necessary to start and intervene at the nursery and crèche stage. By that I mean that it is necessary to develop physical literacy, and this action is contained in the national sports policy. Teenage dropout from sports does not happen only when that age is attained. It begins at six, seven, eight and nine years old. Obviously, if we want girls to participate in sport and physical activities in third level institutions, then we must ensure that we keep them involved in sports as teenagers. It is also important that those sports offered at third level institutions are more holistic and not just competitive. Opportunities should be provided for participation in recreational sports activities as well, as should the possibility of experiencing new sports. I refer to those activities that there may have been no chance to participate in at secondary or primary level.