Dr. Una May:

I thank the Deputy. I wish him luck with the support he will give to various people, particularly in the upcoming European Games, which will be a very important Olympics qualifier for our boxers. They have been through a very difficult time with the situation internationally so I hope they will do well. We put a high value on boxing because, as the Deputy said, of the value it can bring and add, in particular its ability to reach certain groups. Boxing generally operates in communities where other sports might not be successful because it has a specific reach into those communities, which is very important for us. We have been in discussion with the Department regarding the development of a new plan as to how we would provide additional supports. We very recently met with one of the local authorities specifically with regard to trying to convince it to provide additional support to boxing, especially in that area.

On the broader question around our relationship with local authorities, we see that as a very important relationship going forward. Twenty of our local sports partnerships are based within local authorities. That gives them a very strong footing within local authority areas. The others are limited companies but they still have very close links. One of the most important links for any local sports partnership is that with its local authority. The Minister is due to meet soon with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage around the work and collaboration with local authorities. The national sports policy has a specific remit and has passed that remit to local authorities, but we are providing a great deal of support in the context of the development of local sports plans, which are intended to bring together all the areas that involve development of any sport and how that operates within the context of a local authority. It might be about the contribution that any particular sport or any piece of infrastructure makes to supporting a particular community. It might be about the link, and this is why it is in the hands of local authorities and not ourselves, into the local economy or local tourism. Sport contributes to a range of different areas. The work with local authorities allows us to capitalise and maximise on that local value.

We are also in the process of carrying out a significant project around collecting information on recreation amenities throughout the entire country. Local authorities are key partners in providing us with that information. We are working with their geographic information system, GIS, departments to provide us with very detailed information. We do not just hope but anticipate that they will use that information. It is being established in a very complex database of information where maps can overlay with population, planning and zoning information, and with distribution of other facilities. It will be a very important asset when it comes to the development, maintenance and planning of local infrastructure for sport. That goes for everything from parks through to-----