Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 2: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will report on the outcome of his meetings with the Gaelic Players Association and the GAA regarding the proposed €5 million Government funded grant scheme for inter-county GAA footballers and hurlers; his views on the GAA's concerns regarding the funding being channelled through the infrastructure grant scheme; the Government position on the way the money should be distributed; the measures the Department has taken to resolve this issue and to avoid a potential strike by the GPA members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25790/07]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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I also wish Deputy Upton well in her new post, playing centre forward for the Labour Party in this important brief.

I met the Gaelic Players Association, GPA, and the GAA on 11 and 17 October respectively at which the issue of player grants was discussed. These meetings were positive and useful in identifying the challenges which must be overcome in this issue.

As I have previously indicated, responsibility for player welfare issues rests with the GAA in the same manner as similar player welfare issues in other sports must be dealt with by the responsible national governing body of sport in each case. I have agreed to remain in contact with both the GPA and the GAA and I hope this issue can be resolved to the satisfaction of all parties concerned.

Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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I congratulate the Minister on his appointment and wish him well. Although I do not represent Dublin South, I am a close neighbour in Dublin South-Central.

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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And a former constituent.

Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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No doubt we will all co-operate on matters of sport, arts and tourism.

I thank the Minister for his reply. It is important the issue is resolved. It has dragged on for almost five years. I appreciate that efforts are being made to resolve the matter and I understand there is goodwill on all sides. The Minister has met separately the GPA and the GAA. It would be productive if he could arrange to meet with the two organisations together to try to resolve the issue.

Does the Minister understand the GAA would have serious concerns regarding infrastructure funds being used for the proposed purposes? Does he have concerns in that regard?

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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I share Deputy Upton's wish that we progress this matter quickly. Much good work has been done in the background to try to move this matter on. I have arranged for ongoing discussions between all sides. In the course of the coming weeks, I am confident that those discussions will come to a satisfactory conclusion. All sides are keeping the lines of communication open and are having discussions with each other. We are all doing so with a sense of goodwill and in a genuine attempt to reach a solution to what has been a fairly intractable issue for some time. I share the Deputy's view that considerable goodwill exists on all sides. I had good meetings with the GAA and the GPA and I am satisfied, following those meetings, that there is substantial goodwill on both sides. I have arranged ongoing discussions between them and I am hopeful they will bear fruit soon.

Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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I wish the Minister well with those negotiations but it is important that all parties are brought to the table together, otherwise unilateral discussions could potentially run on. As indicated by the GPA, strike action is a danger, which would disrupt the inter-county games beginning in the new year. That must be avoided at all costs, as that will serve nobody. Has the Irish Sports Council a role in managing this issue?

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The Irish Sports Council could play a role in these discussions as it is independent and its members have a wealth of experience. The council could be of considerable assistance. I pay tribute to inter-county players. They take a great deal of time off for training and they make a fantastic commitment. Playing inter-county nowadays is not like 20 years ago because it demands an enormous time commitment on the part of players and their families. It is important that such effort is recognised by everybody, given the sheer work they put into inter-county games and the commitment they make. We should also salute the GAA on the magnificent commitment the organisation shows in every parish in the State. I thank its officials for that. I would like to bring this dispute to an early conclusion.