Mr. John Treacy:

In regard tot he GAA, no organisation does more work in the primary and secondary schools around the country than the GAA. It does tremendous work. The State owes it a huge degree of gratitude for the work it does on the ground.

We do not really have a PE system in primary schools. We should have PE in schools for an hour a day but that is not the case at present. The sporting bodies step into that vacuum, ensuring that children get plenty of exercise. These team sports play an important role in primary schools, teaching children the basics of these sports. All three sports have different strengths: the GAA excels around the country in rural areas and in primary schools; the FAI excels in getting children in the inner city and in disadvantaged communities involved, and the IRFU excels in another sphere, with secondary school children.