Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for being with us and for the valuable work they do in promoting sport, health and well-being in our country and abroad. My experience of the GAAGO model product has been primarily in my former role as Minister of State with responsibility for the diaspora. When it was first launched, GAAGO was hugely important in strengthening the presence of the GAA internationally and allowing people living abroad to access games they could never have accessed in the past. The GAA must be complimented on the work it does in promoting our national sports throughout the world. I was privileged to meet many committed and dedicated people who were deeply involved in the life of the GAA. My son played a hurling game in Philadelphia last Sunday and came away with a few bruises and scratches from it. For him, the GAAGO opportunity is hugely important in maintaining a connection with his community, parish and county at home. A great deal of positive and good work is being done.

Am I correct in assuming that the initial intention behind the development of the GAAGO model was to connect with our international community and allow it to access the viewing of games that it would not otherwise have access to? How has GAAGO morphed now into something that is seen to be a significant money-spinner for the GAA in terms of its annual income? Was that planned? Did it arise because of the pandemic? Those are my first questions for Mr. Kelly and I have a subsequent question after he responds.