Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)

When the Minister spoke on this Bill, he referred to the enormous pride that comes from sporting achievements at all levels. In particular, he mentioned the sense of belonging and identity that it engenders in communities. I can identify with this, because this year my club, Ardfert, won the all-Ireland junior club championship. Apart from the players and those otherwise connected to the club, the whole area was involved and interested. The progress of a small club team from a predominantly hurling area as it won an all-Ireland football championship brought a great boost to the community, the wider area and the county. I noticed the same level of commitment and pride in other clubs we met along the way from within and outside the county, both in Munster and in the all-Ireland semi-final when we played Monaghan and the all-Ireland final when we beat Loughrea. It can truly be said, therefore, that the GAA clubs are often the heart and soul of many communities, be they in rural parishes such as Ardfert or in urban west Belfast or Dublin. However, many of these clubs do not have permanent pitches or clubhouses. Most of us have made inquiries regarding sports capital grants on behalf of not only GAA clubs but soccer, rugby, boxing, rowing and sailing clubs that are in need of support. This is a problem particularly in Dublin, other cities and in large towns due to land values and the structure of ownership. One is unlikely to find many landowners willing to donate or sell a field in the way that might happen with a farmer in a rural parish.

The problem was brought home to me when I was part of an election team in Clondalkin a few years ago where a local soccer team catering for children had no such facility. In a particular area the whole amenity was an old container. A pitch was provided by Dublin Corporation and there was a container to cater for thousands of young people. I am aware of a club in the city which won a junior B championship two years ago which still has no pitch or clubhouse. It is interesting to note that less than 20% of Dublin City Council pitches are leased to the GAA. There are only two grass pitches in the south inner city. The newly formed juvenile rugby team in Marlborough Lane, the first for many years in the inner city, has to travel to the Phoenix Park to train or to play on grass. That is a massive indictment on the system and on those who have the coffers to provide facilities for people in need, particularly in the more deprived areas. It is an awful indictment that an area such as Clondalkin with a population of 80,000 has no facilities for young people. A container is the only facility where the kids can tog out and play.

The Minister referred to the lack of participation in sport by young people and the problems to which it leads, ranging from poor health to anti-social behaviour. We have to ask why there is anti-social behaviour. When there are no facilities for young people and the State does not provide them, then the State is contributing to the problem of anti-social behaviour. If the facilities were in place and there was a mechanism to introduce children to sport at a young age it would be one of the greatest defences against problems in Dublin or anywhere in the country. I know that from personal experience.

Surely the solution is greater support for local sports groups, particularly in areas such as the one I have described, rather than expect that children will be inspired, simply by wishing to emulate people they may see performing at international level or in prestigious national events. Those men and women would not be capable of participating at such levels were it not for the humble local clubs where they began. We have to recognise that people who give voluntarily of their time provide one of the greatest services to the State.

The sports capital scheme is an excellent idea through which a significant amount of money has been distributed. I suggest it be revised to allow for grants for clubs to acquire property. The emphasis on all sports investment needs to be at local level rather than at prestige national arenas. That is not to say that such projects ought not to be proceeded with and there is a better balance being struck in regard to sports investment than in the past.

I have concerns about the motives behind the Abbotstown project and the manner in which the whole issue of the main national stadium is being dealt with. There is a perception that this Bill is being introduced to revive a proposal initially overruled by the Minister's partners in Cabinet. The likely difficulties surrounding planning issues for the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road may make the development of a stadium at Abbotstown a necessity, or, at least, that may be how it will be explained.

In reply to a question in the House last month the Minister said there was no plan B if the Lansdowne project runs into difficulties and the proposed new stadium does not go ahead. That is a failure in responsibility, because it is a possibility. Surely there is a need for a plan B as the GAA cannot be expected to come to the aid of the IRFU or the FAI for ever more. If there is a plan B and if this Bill is laying the ground for such a plan, by facilitating the development of what might become the much talked about national stadium, the Minister ought to state that plainly and clearly.

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