Paul Daly (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I wish to follow on from Deputy Mythen's question. I apologise as I had to go to a vote, and there is a possibility I will have to do so again. If I ask a question but have to go before hearing the answer, I will be able to read the transcript.

My question is a broad one for all the witnesses. We have been hearing from both sides for two years and know most, if not all, of the problems at this stage. We try to be solution driven. The witnesses' dedication to their sector and desire to see it sustained and advanced is obvious this evening. I fear that with all that is going on and if things are as bad on the ground as they appear to be, we will start to lose some of our better high-performance people. Mr. McCartan, in answering Deputy Flaherty, referred to sports capital, the great work his organisation is doing and how it cannot get funding as it is private. If we had the money he is lobbying for at our disposal, what body would we give it to be confident it would go where Mr. McCartan highlighted it is needed? Under the current structure, even if the money were abundant, we would not know where to go to ensure it would get to where it was needed. In this regard, let us consider the HRI model for capital development grants, whereby it pays out to its affiliates. As Mr. McCartan's organisation is private, it cannot get sports capital. I see exactly where it is caught but I also see the conundrum associated with the question of who we would give the money to if we had it this evening. What structure would he like to see that would allow him to know that, when we hand the money to someone, it will eventually get to where it is so badly needed or is requested for?