Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank Ceann Comhairle for selecting this issue for discussion. I am sorry I have to raise it. I also thank the Minister of State for coming to the House on a Thursday evening. As I said, I am sorry I have to raise this issue.

Stamullen Football Club is located in Stamullen, County Meath. It has 20 teams, 320 players and 750 members. It is a very busy, active and successful club. It has academy and senior teams, boys' and girls' teams, and men’s and women’s teams. It also has an after-school academy tied in with the local primary school. However, the club finds itself homeless. It does not have its usual playing facility for the season ahead. The arrangement it had in place, a rental agreement with Gormanston Park, has been terminated. This is a sore point because Gormanston Park uses the facility of the former Gormanston College, a long-time Franciscan private school with grounds. It received significant State funding over the years and Gormanston College will receive significant State funding in the time ahead for a new education campus. However, the contract for use of the green fields and playing pitches that had been rented from this new entity, Gormanston Park, for some years has been terminated based on a commercial decision. Gormanston Park sees its future elsewhere.

This is hugely frustrating for Stamullen FC, which finds itself homeless this year. The nature of that rental agreement and the obvious intention of Gormanston Park have placed it in a precarious position every year. The club has sought support from elected representatives, the local authority, local landowners, developers and other clubs in the area, many of which also face severe restrictions in terms of access to playing facilities. It has also engaged with the Department of Defence through the Gormanston Army camp. It is now entirely dependent on St. Patrick’s GAA Club in the Stamullen area and Cloghertown United, which is based in Clonalvy, some distance away. I commend both St. Pat’s and Clonalvy on the solidarity and support they have shown Stamullen FC in its hour of need.

An unforgivable situation has been allowed to arise, however. I point to the responsibility of authorities for proper planning and sustainable development.

A census report was published recently. The population of the electoral district of Stamullen is 5,500, which is up 10% from 2016. It is a young and growing population. Volunteers are giving their time and putting effort into growing the club but they have hit brick wall after brick wall when they have tried to secure a plot of land on which the club can train and play its matches. I am looking to the Minister of State for his support and advice on the matter.

See this speech in context