Charlie McCreevy (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)

The Government parties have been more than generous to the GAA during their two terms in office. I recall the barrage of criticism from politically correct Ireland following my first budget when I allocated £20 million to the GAA over six years. We went ahead and most people now think it was money well spent. I outlined the amounts the Government and its predecessor have given the GAA. However, the moneys allocated through sports lottery funding each year is not recognised. The bulk of the funding goes to the GAA for good reason. The organisation makes the best applications, it has much of the work done and it has significant funding in place itself. We have responded in kind and will continue to do so.

I do not owe GAA headquarters any money as a result of that agreement years ago. The Government will examine applications from the GAA for funding in the future but that is a matter for another day. No money is owed to the GAA.

Recommendation put.