Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his response. He is right regarding the suspension and the rules placed upon the FAI. That was very fair and just and I commend him on doing so. When it comes to the funding of the FAI, for me, there is an infrastructural deficit within football and in Ireland that is all-incorporating. At grassroots level, I see that every single weekend and twice a week with training. The question is, where is the plan? The director's report that was released by the FAI called for a €500 million investment over the course of the next 15 years to bring the infrastructural deficit up to scratch. Perhaps we can talk about that but I am not sure if it is the right vehicle by which to improve this infrastructure in the future. More importantly, how we get it? How do we get more kids playing on pitches that are suitable to their needs? We have an explosion of popularity in the women and young girls' games. We have clubs such as Belvedere Football Club, the future of which is in doubt as a consequence of an absence of playing facilities. This for me is related to the funding. How are we going to improve this infrastructure?

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