Joe Neville (Kildare North, Fine Gael)

We are talking about sports infrastructure. More than many, I, as a coach, and my children have benefited in recent years from different facilities we have been able to develop locally by means of the sports capital grants. As stated by previous speakers, these grants are a very efficient way of spending and receiving money. Who best to spend the money in local areas than people who run clubs efficiently and so well? As I said, in local sports clubs - GAA clubs, soccer clubs, rugby clubs and even athletics clubs - I have seen the huge impact this funding has made.

That said, there are other groups that we need to acknowledge and that need help. For example, basketball has taken off, especially among girls. The cost of basketball facilities is huge. We need to look at how we can help the clubs involved, which might not have easy access and for which renting facilities is core. Obviously, no one likes to rent in the long term. We need to get around that.

We have a significantly growing population all across north Kildare, all the way from Naas to Johnstown and back over to Leixlip through Maynooth and Kilcock. We know there is a huge need for a swimming pool in north-east Kildare, particularly Celbridge. We have put forward a plan for the swimming pool in Maynooth University to be rejuvenated. We will ensure, through the large-scale infrastructure funding, that we will be able to get help towards that with contributions from Kildare County Council.

Ultimately, local authorities need to take a lead role on larger scale local infrastructure projects. I do not see why, with the help of the Government and in light of development levies that are coming in, we cannot ensure that we get the money for facilities to communities that directly need it. This would be really positive, and it is a something I am heavily involved in pursuing. I see this as the mechanism through which we could deliver what I have outlined in the short term.

I have not been found wanting as a councillor for my local clubs over the years and we have delivered super facilities. We now need to take the next step and move outside local clubs to larger communities where multiple towns can user larger facilities. As our towns and villages grow, we need multisport facilities. Where land is at a premium, we need to develop pitches where rugby, soccer and GAA clubs can all use the pitch on different nights. There is a facility like that in Kerdiffstown in County Kildare.

I also want to speak about the major events programme. We have been very successful as a Government. The NFL was here over the weekend. It has had a huge impact globally, especially in the US. I thank the Government for its work. I hope the funding will go back to the Exchequer and the local clubs across all sports.

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