John Dardis (Progressive Democrats)

I am extremely uncomfortable about the motion. While I support it because it is important, I have grave difficulties about the propriety of the Houses of the Oireachtas discussing the affairs of the Irish Rugby Football Union other than in circumstances where State funding is involved. I have always stuck to the belief, even when there were difficulties with apartheid in South Africa, that sport and politics should not mix. That might be a counsel of perfection but, to the degree that it is possible, that should be the case. That is the reason I was pleased that the other motion on the Order Paper acknowledged the responsibility for the administration and development of the game of rugby rested with the IRFU. That was an important addition to that motion and, while it is not before the House, it is an important statement that should be on the record.

I have been involved in rugby football since I was a teenager. I have played and refereed the game at a high level. I refereed games in the Sportsgrounds in Galway on wet days and at Galwegians RFC at a time very few people and virtually no politicians had an interest in the future of rugby football or its welfare in Connacht. It was left to a few people such as Billy Glynn, Malcolm Little, Paddy Beattie and Senator O'Rourke's late husband to carry the flag. This issue must be put in context, even though I support the motion.

The IRFU has done a remarkable job developing the game since it turned professional. It is recognised as a model by other unions. By comparison, the debacle in Wales is at the other end of the scale. One of the reasons for the debacle and the significant debt of the Welsh union, which has resulted in performances on the field not being what they should be, is that there are too many senior clubs which will not agree among themselves as to what they should they do. They should reduce the number of clubs.