Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Now that I am on this side, the problem is that legislation has been put in place giving the Irish Sports Council responsibility in this area. I have been in contact with the council on this matter, however, because I support women's involvement in sport. In 2005, the council established a women in sports programme and €14 million has been spent on this programme to date. Yesterday I attended an awards ceremony for volunteers which was held at Aviva stadium. Most of the participants were women involved in sporting organisations throughout the country. Recently in County Mayo - I hope this will be repeated in every county - 4,500 women took part in a mini-marathon organised by the local sports partnership board and The Western People.

I am anxious to see women taking part in sports. Earlier today I was in Croke Park to launch, along with the President, this year's ladies' camogie championship. More than 500 clubs and 500,000 women are involved in camogie. I want to see more women taking part in sport but while I will put pressure on the Irish Sports Council to achieve this objective, it has direct responsibility for liasing with women's groups.

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