Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister's reply and compliment him and the Minister of State, Deputy Ring. It is important that we put on the record spending €20,000 or €30,000 would have been a futile exercise and the Minister was correct in the approach taken. It is imperative that we develop the indoor facilities at Abbotstown as we lack these. We saw on the recent "Prime Time" programme that a water polo tournament will be held in the National Aquatic Centre which is being utilised to its maximum. It is an example of something the previous Government did well and I accept this. The Minister and Minister of State used common sense with regard to trying to bring people here. Those who are complaining about the Government's approach should read the reply to this question. The Minister and Minister of State with responsibility for sport are prepared to invest in the development of facilities. We should look at the long-term future rather than the 2012 London Olympics. It is important that we have a strategic plan for all sports.

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