Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)

That will not develop anything like the requirements that are set out. Where will that leave our commitment, for instance, to the Irish Institute of Sport, to the preparation for the London Olympics and the general enhancement of facilities and support for our elite athletes? To a certain extent, arts and sport have become the fall guy in the budget. They were the soft option. We have to look at what is happening to sport in general in the country and get back to making the commitment that is needed to enhance and support it.

Let us compare the great sporting achievements in recent days with the lack of achievement in the Olympics. We must be aware of the importance of sport and also the need to support it. If we do not support the national sports campus I do not see how we will make any progress.

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