Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

That is a fair question. I am looking at the issue at the moment. There are other issues that have been put on the table and that need to be resolved. I do not necessarily take the view that the continued creation of new independent bodies is the way to go every time. I am not referring specifically to this case, but I want the Deputy to realise that I intend to look at the issue. I will bring it to a conclusion very quickly and I will not prevaricate on it. The board is already set up with a chairman in place and it is doing its work without any hindrance. It is under the auspices of the Irish Sports Council and we will see where we go from here.

Our focus is now to support Irish athletes in every way we can during the run-in to the Olympic Games to make sure that they have the best opportunity to bring back medals to Ireland. That is where we must focus our support, both financially and otherwise. I intend to bring this matter to a conclusion fairly soon.

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