Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)

The proposal in the Athens review that a national institute of sport should be established was supported by the high-performance strategy group in December 2001, the joint committee in its report of 2005 and many other commentators. I am sure the Minister will agree that such an institute is needed if we are to ensure that our elite athletes can compete on a level playing pitch at the Olympic Games and other international events. Well developed institutes of sport are in place in countries such as New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom, which are getting the results at international level. Will the Minister consider seriously the designation of the National Coaching and Training Centre in Limerick as the national institute of sport? The institute could have a hub in Dublin, at UCD or DCU, and nodes in other parts of the country, including Cork and Galway. The work of the institute should link with that of the institute of sport in Northern Ireland.

The Minister is familiar with the details of the proposal and I understand that money has been earmarked. He needs to appoint the necessary experts in the areas of sports science and sports medicine. Will the Minister give the House a commitment that the new institute of sport will be based in Limerick? Will he provide the resources to enable the necessary expertise to be identified and the appropriate international people to be hired so that the project can be pursued as soon as possible? The institute is needed if our athletes are to prepare properly for Beijing and London.

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