Paddy McHugh (Galway East, Independent)

Sport is our great national pastime and involvement in it provides a sense of well-being and an emotional outlet for people of all ages. It builds character. Active participation in competitive or recreational sport makes a major contribution to the physical and mental well-being of people and the nation. Success at national and international level in competitions creates a sense of pride and increases morale. Involvement in sport creates a sense of unity and identity for communities, towns and villages in every area of the country. The achievement of our top competitors and the realisation of the hard work, commitment and dedication involved in achieving success spurs us all to greater effort and raises our spirits. Young people in particular need role models and heroes who will inspire and encourage them to higher achievements.

Much progress has been made in bringing our sporting facilities into line with the best international standards and it is only fair to recognise the progress that has been made and acknowledge the funding provided for many facilities. There are many blackspots, however, including in my constituency. I refer to one of those blackspots, namely, Tuam stadium in County Galway. I have raised this issue with the Minister on several occasions but unfortunately he has not responded in the appropriate manner by allocating a decent sum of money to enable the refurbishment of the stadium and the building of a stand, modern dressing rooms and ancillary facilities. A paltry sum was allocated by the Minister some time ago but in the context of the amount required, the allocation was peanuts. I ask the Minister to take this project seriously and allocate a realistic sum of money to a project which he has effectively ignored over the past nine years.

In considering the Tuam stadium project, will the Minister take into account the fact that north Galway is the home of Galway football and Tuam stadium the stage on which the footballing prowess of that region was showcased? Unfortunately, because of the neglect of this stadium, teams involved at top level must now travel from the Roscommon border to Galway city to take part in top level matches. Will the Minister also take into account the fact that Tuam has been designated as a hub town, one of the characteristics of which is that it would have top class sporting facilities? Tuam does not have those facilities. I remind the Minister also that Tuam has RAPID designation and, as such, is entitled to special funding and treatment from Government. This debate gives me the opportunity to put forward the case for Tuam stadium and I do so on the basis that sporting facilities should be provided throughout the country to ensure an equal spread of facilities.

On the Abbotstown sports campus, one must ask if the location for such a facility is the correct one. It galls me that everything of substance proposed by this Government must be located on the east coast. I question the location as a Deputy from the west. My constituents, or people from the larger area of Connacht, will have major difficulty in accessing this facility. For example, for young people or students who wish to pursue a career in sport and, as a stepping stone, want to use this centre, it will be next to impossible to access the facility, not least because of the inadequate and often absent infrastructure such as roads and rail. Also, the distance to be travelled will make it impossible.

I welcome the fact that a centre of excellence is to be provided but I question the location. In providing such a facility, which will be a once-off, there is an onus on the Government to get it right and ensure there are no cock-ups or questions to be answered during the construction of the project or after it. On this occasion the Government should ensure that there is no place in this project for shelf companies or the like. In that regard, I am reassured by the fact that the shadow of Con Haugh hangs over this project. He has a long record of faithful service, for which I thank him.

Phase 1 of the plan for this development will provide a national field sports training centre catering for Gaelic games, rugby, soccer and hockey. A national indoor training centre will provide top class training facilities for more than 30 governing bodies of sport such as basketball, badminton, bowling, boxing, judo etc. It will provide accommodation for sportsmen and women, sports science and medical facilities and all-weather synthetic pitches for community use.

The community use aspect is interesting and I want to refer to a national community organisation, that is, the Community Games organisation. That organisation does not have a permanent home. I ask that it be accommodated in this development. It does good work throughout the country and that should be recognised. The greatest means of recognition of the Community Games organisation is to give it a home. The Minister now has a golden opportunity. The Community Games organisation caters for all youth and many activities and if it is not robustly supported by Government, our youth will be the poorer.

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