Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I heard what Damien Duff said. One step the FAI has taken is to maximise the number of its applications. In regard to the sports capital and equipment programme, there has been a huge increase in the number of applications from football clubs. Under the large-scale sports infrastructure fund, in which my colleague, Deputy Griffin, was involved, a significant number of football projects were announced under both streams.

I acknowledge the Deputy's point on betting. I have had feedback from various sporting organisations relating to the matter. My colleague, the Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Deputy Browne, is establishing a new gambling regulator, and a fairer spread of betting tax more generally would be more equitable. We are focused, with our allocation for this year, on putting a significant injection into all sporting infrastructure. The Deputy mentioned football, but it will apply to the development of a range of sports. Moreover, we have a positive budget allocation for next year.

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