John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)

Since time and tide wait for no man, I do not anticipate that we will be in a position to push through the legislation for the Institute of Sport this session. I anticipate, however, that the legislation will be introduced some time this year in order to put the institute on a statutory footing. Clearly, it will be a matter for the Minister, whoever he or she will be, to decide what direction the institute should take. I have views of my own to which he or she may have access if I am not in office.

On the relationship of the Institute of Sport with the University of Limerick, it is the intention that the institute will have a great deal of contact with a number of universities, the University of Limerick, in particular, which has been enormously successful. The National Coaching Centre hosted more than 20 athletes who went on to win Olympic medals. That is indicative of the standard of facilities and personnel located at the centre. However, the Institute of Sport will have its headquarts at Abbotstown. While the arrangements between the headquarters and constituent parts of the organisation have yet to be fully ironed out, suffice it to say the University of Limerick will play an active part in the development of facilities for the institute and related matters.

See this speech in context