Joe O'Toole (Independent)

It shows the development from populist sports to minority sports — a hugely important structural organic development. The most popular sports around the country are Gaelic games. If someone tried to quantify the cost or value of the commitment in terms of social capital, time, community bonding, sense of place, saving from delinquency and encouragement of health, no amount of money could pay for what the GAA has given to this country. That is a fact and I welcome any opportunity to defend the Government's investment in Gaelic sport. I do not defend it because it is Gaelic sport, but because it is the most successful and widespread organisation in the country. It is in every corner and parish and has cultivated a sense of place, pride and respect for an area. We must recognise that fact.

In similar terms, we must support the two great field games of rugby and soccer where they are important and popular. The mark of true sports people is that they are interested in all sport. I never met a Kerry inter-county Gaelic footballer who did not have an interest in golf, rugby, soccer, racing and almost any other sport. They are prepared to attend and take an interest in these other sports. This is the core of the issue and it is very important.

I want to move from the current big debate to the organic steps towards which we should be looking. We know where we stand on the big games and I have said what I have to say with regard to proper facilities of an international standard for our major field sports. However, the new development over the past ten years has been the major investment in sports such as canoeing, hockey and cricket. These are important. The fact that a young Irish lad is being sought after to play international cricket for England is something we never thought we would see happen. This should be recognised.

We must also look at sport on the basis of age. Our population is facing problems of obesity, diabetes, heart disease and so on. The sports I have mentioned are played by true athletes who are on the top of their game and to whom we all look up. However, participation must begin at a young age. Every primary school should have a PE hall or access to a PE facility. In some cases local football clubs make their facilities available to nearby schools but in too many cases games cannot go ahead on wet days. Lack of participation by young people in sport will lead to health costs in the future. This issue has been widely debated.

The question of participation in sport by older people has not been so widely debated. Most people give up sport when they reach a certain age and the only sport then available to them is golf. There is nothing wrong with golf if that is what people want to do. However, we should not forget walking, trekking, fishing, boating, canoeing and other sporting activities which older people can enjoy. The Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism, in conjunction with the Department of Health and Children, should recognise the value of investment in sports which draw older people into active involvement in sport. We should put greater investment into water based sports such as angling, fishing and so on.

Some years ago when we discussed the development in Abbotstown it was proposed to have four segments in the development. There was to have been a stadium, an aquatic centre and the headquarters of various sporting bodies. The fourth part was to have been a centre of excellence where people who excelled in their sport at a young age could attend school in the centre of excellence. These young people would develop their skills and talents while being educated. This facility would have provided a role model to young people who would see that young talented people also have a space in which to operate.

We need a sporting investment from the most popular through to minority sports and those in which older people can participate. The most popular sport in the United Kingdom is not soccer but fishing. More people engage in fishing in the UK than in any other outdoor sport or activity. Fishing is also popular in Ireland. It should be recognised as an activity which takes people out into the open air and helps them appreciate their surroundings. It is as important and valuable as playing for the local senior hurling or football team. We must not ignore sports such as fishing, especially when we can develop them in Ireland. We must develop the popular sports, minority sports and sports for young people and elderly people. People should be able to participate in sport for as long as they are alive. This is not difficult to do. It is simply a matter of having a positive view on ageing and on the aged and of making facilities available.

Last summer, on a river bank in France I saw a wheelchair accessible fishing spot. Such facilities may be available in Ireland but I have never seen one. It would not be difficult to develop them in Ireland, particularly in the Leas-Chathaoirleach's county of Roscommon where roads often run very close to rivers.

We must encourage the total involvement of the population, of all ages and of all levels of talent, in sport and outdoor activities. We should have schools of excellence, we should encourage competitive sports for excellent athletes and young people. Older people and people with disabilities should be involved in sport and PE facilities should be provided for all primary schools. Finally, we should revitalise the Abbotstown proposal.