Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)

I would love to be able to play the ball as well as some people, but I enjoy the walk and the invigorating exercise. There are great places in Kerry, such as Ballybunion, Waterville, Dooks, the Ring of Kerry, Kenmare and Tralee. One is more beautiful than the next. They are great for tourism. There are other golf clubs, such as Beaufort and Ross. More than 40,000 visitors go to Killarney to play those courses. There are three 18 hole golf courses in that complex in Killarney. The Irish Open was held in Killeen in 1991. Both it and Mahony's Point featured in the top 100 golf courses in the recent Golf World publication. That is an important marketing tool and we must continue to use it.

I was sad to read recent articles about the fact that there is more trouble ahead. I am talking about Killarney Golf and Fishing Club, which is a tremendous facility. Great credit is due to Lord Castlerosse and his successor, Mrs. Beatrice Grogan, who has since died. They established that club for locals and visitors. There are more than 1,700 members in that complex and more than 40,000 visitors play golf there every year. There is a members' club of which the members are proud. There is also a company and a trust controlled by Bord Fáilte which owns 75% of it – the Minister can correct me if I am wrong. We must have accountability and transparency. Matters were dealt with too secretively for too long. This major public asset is not one person's fiefdom. It belongs to all the people.