John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)

We have made enormous strides in the provision of facilities in recent years, not just in Dublin but throughout the country. For example, since 1998 we have spent in the order of €610 million on sport and the provision of sports facilities. Through the national lottery-funded sports capital programme, we have been involved in approximately 4,500 projects in every city, town, village and parish in the country since 1998. We hope to continue with this.

I do not envisage any change of location for the National Coaching and Training Centre in Limerick. It is true that the Athens review proposed an institute of sport. Perhaps it could be considered in that context. However, one should note that phase 1, which is being considered by Government, does not incorporate plans for the National Coaching and Training Centre. Its present location is safe for the foreseeable future. It makes a very important contribution to sport.

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