Mr. Kieran Mulvey:

In my written statement I referred to the issue of obesity and health. We are facing an obesity crisis among our young people. Some of the major ways to avoid obesity are exercise, appropriate diet and food intake and engagement in sport. That many of our young people are spending more time in front of a laptop, iPad or computer rather then being outside is an issue that needs to be addressed. It is a health promotion issue, a sport issue and a cross-departmental issue and we are going to have to create more initiatives around that. Sport Ireland is conscious of this and we have held discussions about it from the health promotion perspective. We need to structure it and roll it out on a larger scale in order to inform people about what can be done. At the other end of the spectrum, we need to educate older people about the benefits of exercise for the prevention and treatment of adult diabetes and for heart health through cardio exercises.

I will now turn to the matter of all-island co-operation. Deputy Ellis would be very aware of the sensitivities around this issue. The relationship between Sport Ireland and Sport Northern Ireland is excellent. I have a very good personal relationship with the chairman of the latter and there is good communication between our chief executives and our boards. The important element is that our boards would meet. Our Ministers and ourselves met recently at Slieve Donard for a breakfast meeting about a European network arrangement around which there is much positivity.

Some sports, such as athletics, cricket, hockey and rugby, have an all-island history which precedes the War of Independence and the Special Olympics and the Paralympics are run on an all-island basis. I will be blunt about it - in Northern Ireland the big issue is what school one went to and where one's political or national loyalties may lie. It is a sensitive matter.

Reference was made to an all-island soccer team. I had thought that it might be feasible but when both teams were in the doldrums it became more difficult. With the tremendous success of the Northern Ireland soccer team I cannot see them wanting to euphorically join up with the Republic of Ireland team anytime soon. I hope we will succeed in our match against Bosnia. We once had a united Ireland team when we played against Brazil under Derek Dougan. He was in there in Dalymount on that marvellous, excellent and wonderful day. However, issues and tensions remain around the idea of a united Ireland soccer team. Perhaps an international body such as UEFA - I do not want to mention FIFA yet - could liaise with the representatives about "the home countries" being too big. With the break-up of the Balkans and with new states emerging, that issue has died a death as the governing body wants everybody in, no matter how small they might be. However, the two O'Neills might be able to talk to one another.