Brian Walsh (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate on this important legislation. The Sport Ireland Bill will see the amalgamation of two prestigious bodies that have made a considerable contribution to sports in the country since their initiation. The Irish Sports Council and the National Sports Campus Development Authority, NSCDA, have overseen the development and growth of sports in their respective remits, and their functions will now be assumed by Spórt Éireann.

At times of economic crisis and social change, it is easy to overlook sport and underestimate its importance and afford all other areas a priority. While economic recovery has no doubt retained the focus of the Government since it assumed office three and a half years ago, if we were to neglect the area of sport it would very much be at our peril. I commend the Minister of State, Deputy Ring, and his officials in particular for keeping the focus on sport and fighting tooth and nail to ensure it got its fair share. The Minister of State has been responsible for not one round of sports capital funding but two rounds and I know it is his intention to seek support for a third round before the Government leaves office.

Visitors from Newbridge College in County Kildare have just left the Visitors Gallery. Time and again experts tell us it is not a young person's level of academic ability that determines his or her success but rather his or her level of self-confidence and self belief and the social skills acquired as he or she develops. These are the qualities which determine future success in our young people. Sporting clubs throughout the country and the Minister of State have done a huge amount in very difficult times over the past three and a half years to nurture, encourage and develop these qualities in our young people. This is the ultimate achievement of any sporting organisation.

There is a firmly established correlation between the level of physical activity of a population and its standard of health. The most effective vehicle for encouraging people, particularly young people, to increase their level of activity is sport. There is also a link between the level of participation in sporting activities and reductions in tobacco, drug and alcohol use. It also creates an awareness of the importance of good nutrition and has a positive impact on integration and social environments. These are all key societal objectives of any responsible government, and its lead agency in this area is therefore one of considerable importance. Spórt Éireann will assume this role.

Unfortunately, studies have consistently shown that the number of Irish adults who regularly engage in a desirable level of physical activity is too low. In 2007, the proportion of adults exercising at least three days a week was just over 40%. Similarly alarming is the fact that this figure had not changed over the previous ten years. In 2002 it stood at 40% and in 1998 the figure was 38%. However, through increased levels of participation in sports from a young age people can learn the importance of physical exercise, and this figure can be improved upon in the future.

Participation in sporting activities, of course, reduces the risk of chronic diseases and is an essential tool in our bid to combat obesity. Equally, at a time when mental health is such an increasingly urgent issue, the importance of sport and physical activity in addressing related problems cannot be underestimated. The effective management and promotion of sports in the country is central to capitalising on all of these benefits and this serves to highlight the importance of the legislation which the Minister of State has brought before us.

The Government recognises the importance of sport and the role it has to play in maintaining a healthy population and in fostering social cohesion. Enormous credit is due to the Minister of State who has overseen effective and substantial investment in Irish sport and recreation services over the past three years. In my constituency, I have worked very closely with a number of clubs and organisations that have benefited under the sports capital programmes in recent years. These include clubs such as Claregalway GAA, St. James GAA, Mervue United, Salthill-Knocknacarra GAA and Galway Rowing Club.

The sports capital programme has been spread evenly throughout the country.

I was in Belmullet - in Blacksod - at the weekend and I noticed that the Minister of State did not leave out Mayo; there has been a huge investment in sporting clubs in Mayo and some very fine facilities have been developed across the country. These clubs provide wonderful role models for us all and particularly for our young people who now more than ever require role models. They were very significant investments because sport is just as important in the community as it is at a national level. Having been involved in these organisations I can see how the investment in clubs in many areas has had a very positive impact on teams, communities and individuals. The Minister of State, Deputy Ring, and the officials in his Department obviously have a great appreciation of the importance of that and it has seen him succeed in maintaining a substantial level of investment in sport in spite of the background of serious challenges with finances he would have faced.

Sports Ireland will have a parallel complementary role to play at community and national level. At national level the agency will have an important part to play in preparing for Euro 2020 when the eyes of the world will be on us in Ireland as we host matches in the group and last-16 stages of that competition. That obviously will be a massive occasion for the country and for Dublin. Our success in demonstrating our ability to cater for events of that scale will open the doors in future for similar and bigger opportunities. Galway city very successfully hosted the Volvo Ocean Race and the Minister of State presented the winning team with that prestigious award. That showcased Galway and demonstrated the city's ability to host these big events. So successful was that initial event that we won the right to host the finale on a second occasion. It was a huge boost for Galway city and the region.

There is immense economic and reputational value in hosting these events and this new body will have an important role to play in facilitating future events of this nature. The role of Sport Ireland in promoting participation in sport at community level must never be neglected at the cost of its activities on the national or international stage. I welcome the Bill and I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to it.

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