Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)

The Minister mentioned the Irish Institute of Sport and its very important role. What is its status? I have raised this question a number of times with regard to legislation. It is important that there be clarity concerning its role. The Minister indicated to me previously that the institute may not have a statutory basis and that it may be subsumed, for example, into the Irish Sports Council. People must know its exact status. I am not clear what the current position is with regard to its chief executive since the resignation of the previous incumbent. We must identify where the institute is going and what is its status. It was established to help elite athletes.

Is the Minister convinced that the facilities, supports and backup we will have in place will be adequate for our athletes to compete well in 2012? It may be just as important that athletes from other countries should be able to avail of our facilities. That is a significant issue in the economic debate. What does the Minister think will happen with regard to athletes from other countries who want to train to the highest level? The ideal is to provide that service here for them as well as for our own athletes.

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