Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The European football championship begins tomorrow and the Republic of Ireland will not have a team there. We do not have a permanent manager. It has been nearly a year since the Labour Party brought the first ever debate on football and grassroots football funding into this Dáil. Football is still the most widely played sport in the country, and despite the vibrancy of the League of Ireland and great moments and achievements of our women's football team in recent years, both sections of that football world would say it is not down to but in fact is in spite of the level of funding given at grassroots level. When will this Government and the State take football seriously in this country and give it the investment it deserves for the many girls, boys and young people who are thriving? We spoke about the funding the horse and greyhound industries get. We need to see funding for our other sports not just through the sports capital grant but through a proper plan for the development of football - the beautiful game - in our country.

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