Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)

My predecessor, Deputy O'Shea, and I fully support the establishment of such a sports facility. Given the costs that will be incurred to send a team to the Beijing Olympic Games, the real aim of all sporting disciplines will be the 2012 games in London. Not since 1948, have we had a better opportunity to send teams to the games. London has a similar climate to Ireland's climate which will also be helpful to an Irish team. However, we will want the team prepared to the highest level of excellence. The proposed sports campus gives us the ideal opportunity to achieve this.

The Minister stated that the funding for phase 1 will come over four years. Has it been decided what phase 1 and the subsequent phases will involve? This will play a large role for the different disciplines in their planning for the 2012 games. Will the Minister give a timeframe of what will be available to our sportsmen and sportswomen? The team being sent to London will possibly be the largest Olympic team in our lifetimes. It offers a wonderful opportunity to us to have the strongest team too.

See this speech in context