Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)

I welcome the thrust of the Minister's response. While I realise that €5 million from a total budget of €80 million is a relatively small sum, a precedent has been established. I ask the Minister to place particular emphasis on encouraging the main outdoor sporting codes, notably rugby, soccer and GAA, to work together to provide simple, shared facilities such as changing and weights rooms and medical facilities. They could have their own ancillary facilities attached to these facilities. Opportunities for such co-operation are available across the country. We have seen changes in Croke Park and Lansdowne Road as a result of co-operation between the Gaelic, soccer and rugby codes. The Minister should urge the sporting bodies to engage in greater co-operation.

We have an ideal opportunity to emphasise to local authorities and the principal sporting organisations, particularly those involved in outdoor sports, including athletics, the importance of co-operation in providing shared local, multisport facilities. Such co-operation should also be encouraged among the indoor sports codes although indoor facilities generally cater for all indoor sports. The provision of facilities would be enhanced if such co-operation were encouraged.

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