Michael Finucane (Fine Gael)

I support this motion and I compliment my colleagues who put it down. I applaud the unified approach taken by the Government side, which has meant that the motion reflects the thinking of all of us in regard to the crazy decision by the IRFU to undermine one particular province that was quite successful in its rugby activity.

Buccaneers is one of the Connacht teams whose players come from both Athlone and Ballinasloe. Over the past two years Ballinasloe has lost in excess of 500 jobs and if this dimension is taken out of it as well, surely it sends the message that nobody cares.

I see at first hand in Newcastlewest the great work done at under age level in rugby. At present, Limerick is generating much publicity in the media. This is very unfortunate and is doing a lot of damage to the community, particularly in regard to tourism. As the Garda chief superintendent said, there are eight or nine families involved in trouble. There is a multiplicity of rugby clubs in Limerick city catering for people regardless of their social status. Is it not a pity that the families causing all this heartbreak and bad profile for Limerick are not involved in under age rugby, soccer or GAA clubs? It would be a more fertile ground of activity in which to display themselves. Limerick has an international reputation as a rugby city; Thomond Park has always been regarded as the cradle of rugby.

This is a timely motion on which the debate has been good spirited. We might influence the thinking of the IRFU, which should not proceed to undo the good work done in Connacht by making a rash decision that would be detrimental to rugby in the province. I disagree with what Senator Ryan said. It is almost as if Fine Gael should seek his consent when it wants to table a motion. I would hate to see that evolving.