Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)

I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the very important debate on the National Sports Campus Development Authority Bill. When we debate this legislation, it is important we touch on sport in general because, frequently, we do not sufficiently value sport's contribution to society, particularly the immediate effect on people who participate in sport. The benefits of participating in sport encompass health, fitness and personal development for young people and adults. If someone participates in sport from a young age, it can gave him or her a positive sense of the competitive side of life, which will benefit him or her in the long term. This is why this debate is so important.

Before we address the details of the legislation, we should highlight and set down our priorities as a society. While I accept that sport is important, other issues must come first. It is amazing and rather odd that we can build a magnificent stadium at Croke Park with excellent facilities that are far in advance of those in other international stadia but we cannot solve some of our social problems, particularly those pertaining to health. Yesterday, we heard about the 450 people left on trolleys in accident and emergency departments in hospitals. It is amazing that we can combine our talents and intelligence to build a massive stadium yet we have been unable to resolve the accident and emergency problem over the last number of years. Sport is, therefore, linked to health and poverty.

However, there is no contradiction between my previous comments and my belief in the importance of sport. We must prioritise certain areas. Issues such as the crisis in accident and emergency departments, people with disabilities and people living in poverty must be top of the social and political agenda. It is only then that we can get on with developing other issues.

Sport for children is extremely important. There has been a decline in children's participation in sport, particularly in recent years. We now live in the computer age and children spend hours in front of computers, particularly after they come home from school, and do not take part in activities in which they would have participated 20 or 30 years ago, such as playing football or other games. We must connect this issue with the issue of health.

I commend teachers, particularly primary school teachers who are directly involved in coaching and teaching physical education. Not only do they make a significant contribution to the health of young children, they are also facilitating the release of energy and aggression. Students from schools with a strong involvement in sport, particularly those located in disadvantaged areas, are less likely to become involved in crime and other anti-social behaviour. If one examines the lives of many children who get into trouble with the law in some communities, the sad reality is that they are not involved in sport. There are many creative people working in the primary education sector and many excellent physical education teachers in secondary education. When we plan the curriculum, we should design sports to suit the needs of children. Not all children are good at soccer, rugby or Gaelic football so a wider range of sports should be made available to ensure these children are catered for.

It is important to value the contribution sport has made, particularly over the last ten years, to the personal development and inclusion of people with disabilities. From my work with families of people with disabilities, particularly those with physical disabilities, I know sport has had a major impact on them. The contributions they have made and their inclusion in society must be supported. There should be no holding back when it comes to funding sporting projects, particularly for people with disabilities.

I congratulate the Irish soccer team and its new manager, Steve Staunton. Before his appointment, many cynics queried his suitability for the role because of his lack of experience. I was one of the people who stood by and supported him, particularly with regard to the question of his experience. I also wish the Irish rugby team well in Saturday's match against Scotland. When we examine sport in more detail, we can see that it has created role models for both children and adults. People like Padraig Harrington and Damien Duff have a major contribution to make towards the formation of progressive and sensitive people.

However, we must also support our own clubs. I am saddened when people support clubs in other countries at the expense of their local clubs. As a supporter of Shelbourne Football Club, which is based in Tolka Park, I commend the club for the magnificent work it carries out in the general area. In the wake of the recent riots in O'Connell Street, residents in the Richmond Road area are concerned about potential trouble at the next match between Shelbourne and Linfield. I have informed the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform of my concerns. Windows in houses on Richmond were smashed following a match between Shelbourne and Glentoran. I appeal to the Minister to wake up with regard to this issue because we do not want to see trouble at one of our football matches.

We should also commend the magnificent work carried out by Cumann na mBunscol over the years in our primary schools. It has contributed significantly to the development of children's sport and health and fitness issues. We must also commend the clubs in our constituencies which have made a major contribution to sports. I am thinking in particular of clubs in my constituency such as Craobh Chiaráin GAA Club in Donnycarney, St. Vincent's GAA Club in Marino, Clontarf GAA Club, Whitehall Colmcille and the Parnell Gaelic Football Club. I urge the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism to fund and support all these clubs in the interests of the local community because they play a very valuable role.

A few Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas football team are present. I commend Deputy Deenihan on the magnificent work he has carried out for charities through our football team.

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