Fiona O'Malley (Dún Laoghaire, Progressive Democrats)

I thank the Minister. We considered where we would be in terms of the games in London onwards. We must examine and prepare. A particularly good aspect of what is proposed under the national sports campus development plans is the recognition that stars and athletes are not born overnight and that medals must be planned for. Facilities must be provided. This is one way to ensure we will have a good turnout at future Olympic Games.

Sport is not only about elite performance and performers. Every one of us benefits from it. As a nation, we are internationally recognised for being tremendous supporters. Everybody loves to see the Irish playing because the supporters are well known for getting behind the team. It is a pity we will not be at the World Cup. We will probably back the Poles and give them a great sense of how the Irish nation supports its teams and our enthusiasm for sport.

Sport is also a great way to divide people. A great example is the recent rugby match between Munster and Leinster. I had difficulties regarding where I am from and grew up and where I now reside and make my living. Nonetheless, if one is born in Munster, one remains a Munster supporter. It is a great indicator of how sport captivates the imagination of the country. We are a naturally enthusiastic nation when it comes to sport and should do whatever we can to develop sports facilities.

The strategic goals of the Irish Sports Council are built around the concepts of participation, performance and excellence. While the excellence factor may be for the elite performers, the Irish Sports Council is very keen to get the rest of us participating, getting out and using facilities. The Minister has mentioned how much money has been invested in the sports infrastructure since 1997. It is quite remarkable, and we can see the results. Everybody comments on the good facilities, be they swimming pools or whatever now more available in our own local communities.

It is good to have a proper blueprint for how these sporting facilities are to be developed. With that in mind, this National Sports Campus Development Authority Bill 2006 is a beginning. Previous speakers indicated what will be provided in it. I have one note of concern. In Limerick we have a good facility for sporting excellence, which people can travel to even from abroad for services available there. I wonder how that facility will fit in with the plan. I hope the Limerick facility will not become second best to the Abbotstown facilities. That is my only concern.

As we develop the site and excellent proposed facilities, we must be cautious. The experience with the National Aquatic Centre will have sobered us somewhat in how we deal with vast sums of public money being spent. I hope the lessons we have learned from that will not be forgotten. It is a cause of concern when we are about to embark on a major project, with vast amounts of public money about to be invested, though some of it will be in partnership. We must be careful with regard to how the money is spent and the manner in which we get the best value for taxpayers' money.

It is an enormous site, at 500 acres, in north County Dublin. We should look at how that will be developed. The facility will be on 500 acres of very valuable land. I hope we think of putting some kind of housing or infrastructure there to maximise the potential.

Previous speakers mentioned opportunities provided with regard to the Olympic Games being held in London. I echo this, as it is an enormous opportunity for us. It is good that we will have proper sporting infrastructure in place so that we can maximise those opportunities for the country. When it was announced last year that London would be the venue for the 2012 Olympics, most people here were delighted because it represents such an enormous opportunity. It gives us an opportunity to invest money into different services. In my own area there are great facilities for yachting and water sports. We envisage opportunities in Dún Laoghaire where we can provide facilities for some of the people who will be training. These facilities will be adjacent to the venue for the games. The opportunities are quite enormous.

Deputies referred to the report of the national task force on obesity. We should be careful on this issue, which relates back to our high incidence of diabetes nationally. One way, and possibly the best way, to combat this is to get people more fit. The provision of a good network of sporting facilities is a simple way of ensuring that people get involved in sports, be it on a competitive and professional level or at a purely social and recreational level.

The advantages of being involved in sport are well known. Apart from anything else, it gives people a great sense of identity, whether it is an allegiance to a county or a club. That can be a character-building experience for people. The Minister is to be commended on what he is planning to bring in under the terms of the Bill. I look forward to one day visiting the good sporting facilities we will have and enjoying the recreational amenities that will come with it.

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