I hope and trust wisdom and good sense will again prevail in the best interests of Irish sport, the great game of rugby and Connacht. I will meet the IRFU to discuss this important and sensitive issue. However, it would be wholly inappropriate to contemplate the withdrawal of any funding currently being provided for the IRFU through my Department for capital purposes or through the Irish Sports Council for programme purposes in the current sensitive situation. The IRFU is listening attentively to the points of view being expressed by all participants in the debate on the future of professional rugby union in Connacht and will evaluate carefully its options before reaching its decision. It has demonstrated its capacity to act decisively and with foresight to support the game of rugby in Ireland in this turbulent era and it is only right that it should be given the space to make whatever decisions it considers necessary to ensure the continued development of the game in this country.