Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I do not really agree with that. This is another example of confusion. My third question will go into that. That is Sport Ireland's role. Their role is development. They cannot develop anything without capital. How can Dr. May say it is not their role? Basically, some silo in the Department decides we will build this, that and the other, and then Sport Ireland says "yeah that's grand". There is a complete disconnect as regards their policy for how they want to develop these sports based on various different parameters. This may relate to women's access and kids' access etc., or different codes that feel they have not been supported enough. Sport Ireland, therefore, has to have an opinion. To be honest, if they do not have an opinion, it would be seriously worrying for me. I did not come before the committee to say this, but that answer is worrying, because Sport Ireland should have an opinion. Sport Ireland has to have an opinion. Otherwise, there will be a disconnect between a capital side, which is done in the Department, and the development side where a lot of the funding comes through. Some of it is used for managing these supports. That would make sense.