Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

There is massive investment in the west. It is important that we retain our professional team. It does give great leadership to young people and something to which to aspire. One should bear in mind that there are 3,075 school rugby players in Connacht – that is a phenomenal number of young players – and there are 43 rugby playing schools in Connacht. Many years ago there were very few rugby playing schools in the west, but now those schools are proud to be playing rugby as well as GAA and soccer. It is a phenomenal change of attitude. Between the ages of 7 and 18, there are 2,734 under age club players in Connacht. That is where expansion and development will come from.

I am delighted that we have been joined by the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Deputy O'Donoghue. I hope he will meet with the IRFU. I look forward to his response to this debate. With his interest in the game within his own constituency and throughout the country, he will bring some sanity to this issue. It is a form of apartheid for the IRFU to turn its back on a major region. We were flabbergasted to say the least. I am sure the Leas-Chathaoirleach would agree that this is a unacceptable decision.

I want to voice my support and state that I marched last week with a group where there was a massive turnout. I would appeal to the IRFU to ensure that if there are to be cutbacks, they will be made across the board throughout all the provinces. If the IRFU proposes to turn its back on Connacht, it should bear in mind that if there is a vote in this House on funding for the IRFU, I will vote against it. I ask the Minister to take stern action. I ask him to withdraw funding to the IRFU if they decide to renege on the development of rugby in the Connacht region. If the IRFU took such a decision, it would not be representative of the wishes of the Oireachtas.