Marcella Corcoran Kennedy (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this important Bill, which has been brought forward by the Minister of State, Deputy Ring. The legislation will establish Sport Ireland by combining the Irish Sports Council and the National Sports Campus and this is a significant move that fits the Government's policy of streamlining national organisations and agencies. Bringing together two organisations with such expertise will give a better focus on the development of sports policy in Ireland as they have separate skill sets.

When I was a child little thought was given to sport and it was not very developed. We did some running during the community games and that was about all we did so it is incredible how things have changed in a short amount of time. We now focus on developing elite athletes while encouraging young people to achieve all they can at the highest level they can attain, be that local or amateur level. When I was young the focus was on community and amateur sports but there would be a burst of national pride when an individual won an Olympic medal for running, boxing or the like. We did not understand how people reached such a level or who encouraged them to do so. We did not think we could achieve such feats because we did not have role models.

The approach today is more sophisticated and our understanding of the role of sport in society has improved. Today some individuals pursue excellence on the world stage while others are encouraged, through engagement with local communities, to attain at different levels, regardless of the type of sport in question, whether it be soccer, GAA, boxing, swimming or cycling. Nowadays even a weekly walk or a rare jog is considered to be sport as they are part of the overall sporting picture in the country. This sporting picture applies to everyone. Whatever level a person can attain, he or she should participate in sport at some level, regardless of age or sex. It is important to realise that clubs and sporting organisations need support.

The reintroduction of sports capital grants was good recognition of the opportunity presented when clubs apply for funding. There was a fantastic response to the scheme from clubs and this shows the commitment that exists. I commend the Minister of State, Deputy Ring, on reintroducing this in recent years. A cross-section of clubs in Offaly - from handball clubs to boxing clubs to soccer and GAA clubs - applied for and received funding. Some clubs were left disappointed and this is a pity, but there were many successful applicants and I was heartened to see the variety of proposals received. For example, clubs with extensive sports pitches are using the space around the pitches to give safe access for walking and running. There is so much traffic on roads now that this offers a safe alternative to those who were put off such free and easy exercise. I commend the clubs that are diversifying and making walking and running tracks available for entire communities. Once upon a time there was much talk of insurance and restricted access due to fear of twisted ankles and so on, but this has been overcome. It goes to show the commitment in communities to equal access for all. Most of these clubs have access for disabled people too, and this is very important so that they can get fresh air and exercise like everyone else.

On the subject of disability, I hope that Sport Ireland will ensure that any sports facility that is being constructed, from pitches to national stadiums, will be accessible to people with disabilities. Designs must be adequate to ensure people with disabilities can participate and view in comfort, like everyone else. I had the privilege of launching the Irish Wheelchair Association's building guidelines, which were produced for the building industry.

These guidelines were produced after wide consultation with all of its members. It is difficult to believe that despite the fact it has been producing these guidelines for so many years errors are still being made in designing sporting buildings and other buildings throughout the country. When people produce plans to develop pitches or new stadia they should ensure they are disability-proofed by using these fantastic guidelines produced by the people who know exactly what they need. I would like these guidelines to be a module in every course for every planner, architect and engineer throughout the country so they would be very familiar with the needs of people with disabilities. The association was very complimentary about Croke Park and the wonderful work done when it was being developed. The Aviva Stadium has also been made very accessible for people with disabilities and they can view sporting events the same as everybody else.

Access to sporting opportunities is different in various parts of the country and we need to focus in particular on access for young women. By having role models such as Katie Taylor we have seen an upsurge and interest in young women's boxing. I had the privilege of presenting the national jerseys to our team which went to Assisi earlier this year and returned with four medals. Young fit women from throughout the country committed to training and aiming for the top and they were an inspiration. One of them is from Edenderry in Offaly and she returned with a medal, which was wonderful. St. Mary's boxing club there is doing wonderful work in supporting them. A young woman from Tullamore, Gráinne Walsh, also won a gold medal. These young people are committed to training and aiming for the top and the fact they have role models encourages them to participate at this level.

The anti-doping aspect of the Bill is most welcome and critical with regard to education and a commitment to link with the international community on measures to prevent doping. We are all agreed that sport is good for us, whether one participates in it or not. The terrible negativity associated with being involved with doping and cheating is a disgrace for the athletes, their clubs and the country. Every effort needs to be made to link all of the sporting organisations and share data with An Garda Síochána so people can compete cleanly on a level playing field. Whistleblowers need to be listened to in the sporting arena also. We have heard about many people raising a flag and stating something is not right and being ignored. They have been proven to be right in the long term and we need to think carefully about this.

I welcome the announcement yesterday by the Minister of State, Deputy Harris, on the valuation legislation with regard to clubs only paying rates on the part of the club generating income. This will be very welcome because it has been a concern for many clubs which have made a huge effort to build and develop their facilities.

It would not be fair to speak about sport without reflecting on the wonderful successes of our Paralympians and Special Olympians. This week we had tremendous success in the Special Olympics. I will be parochial again and refer to Conor Dwyer from Birr, County Offaly who brought home gold in swimming. His family and the entire community are proud of him and what a tremendous achievement it is.

As a society we must reflect that participation in sport enhances everybody's quality of life, whatever one's capability or capacity and whether one is aiming for elite sport or just going for a run every week. One's quality of life is much better as a result of participating. It would be good for us all in the long term if we participated a bit more in sport. The knock-on effects in health are well documented.

I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Bill. I commend the Minister of State for the outstanding work he has done on it. It bodes very well for future sporting policy development in Ireland.

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