Ulick Burke (Fine Gael)

—and Ciaran Fitzgerald, who captained Ireland. They all came up through the ranks and represented Connacht. If this IRFU proposal goes through, it will end the aspirations of many young people now involved at youth and school level who want, first and foremost, to represent their province and later their country. That parallels the aspiration of people who play Gaelic football or hurling to represent their county. If any other organisation was to cut off participation for any of those counties' involvement in provincial or All-Ireland championships, there would rightly be uproar.

It was significant that so many people from Connacht – including many players – and other areas assembled last week to request the IRFU to think again. Deputy Glennon, a former Member of this House and a former international rugby player, gave welcome support to the professional players in Connacht.

If the IRFU thinks Connacht rugby is the albatross around its neck, it should consider the figures. It took some €1.8 million to run Connacht rugby last year. That compares to €3.4 million for Leinster and €3.8 million for Munster in the same period. Connacht is not the cause of any financial difficulties in which the IRFU might find itself.

There is concrete evidence of success from the expenditure of that money. Connacht has been designated as a development province. From 2000 to 2003 the number of schools in Connacht participating in rugby at any level has increased from seven to 43. The number of under-21, provincial and international players has increased by 50% in the same years. Some 31 Connacht players have been involved in youth internationals in the past three years. That has increased from a figure of perhaps five or six in previous years. Young people aspire to participation at that level.

The number of clubs that are providing facilities has grown over the years. These take many young people away from other distractions. If that avenue is denied to youngsters in Connacht, the efforts and endeavours of recent years will have been for naught.

The small parish of Monivea represents a cathedral in the desert. The people who live there support hurling, Gaelic football and soccer as well as rugby. That is what participation in sport should be about. I ask the Minister to take immediate steps to convince the IRFU to allow professional rugby to continue in Connacht, otherwise we will once again be presented with the concept of "to hell or to Connacht". This is not acceptable. Commentators, players and the people have all indicated their support for retention.