Joe O'Toole (Independent)

I welcome the Minister of State to the House. It is always good to see a man of ability welcomed to the top in Fianna Fáil. He should ensure he is not exiled to Brussels, like another good man who left a while ago.

On a serious note, I am delighted this debate is taking place and that it is the broad issue we are discussing. I too regret that we have not gone ahead with the construction of a stadium at Abbotstown. It is a mistake not to have done so. The Abbotstown issue is a classic example of an idea that was run and led by the media. If it was a problem of size, we could have dealt with it. If it was a problem of costs, it could have been built on a phased basis. It was a mistake to withdraw from the project.

I want to examine the issue of national sports facilities in a number of ways. As a Kerryman, it is delightful for me to see a Kerry Minister come here and say that he is committed to ensuring that hockey and cricket do well, as well as Gaelic games. This is a reflection of the broadminded education in sport we received in that part of the south west.