Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

I have just come from the conference to announce elite funding under the carding system. I am pleased at the very positive comments I received from representatives of all different sports bodies about the level of funding put into the sport, and how significant it is for them that the level of support for our top athletes is maintained. I made my view clear at the conference that we must continue to build at Abbotstown. We have not been able to do it in the timescale originally set out, given the economic situation that exists. With the completion of the stadium at Lansdowne Road in May and with Thomond Park and Croke Park already completed, the missing link in our sporting facilities is in Abbotstown. About 50 to 60 different sports will benefit from the development out there. If things improve this year, we will be able to move on that in the next couple of years.

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