Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)

I thank Senator O'Toole for sharing his time with me and I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I acknowledge the contribution of the GAA in the provision of sporting facilities in every half parish in the country.

There should be greater interaction between the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, the Department of Education and Science and the planning departments of local authorities. The Minister with responsibility for sport should have an input into county development plans. He should be asked to say what facilities should be provided within a given area where rezonings are taking place and he should provide a template for those areas. Such a template would be of great assistance to local authorities and local authority members in formulating county development plans.

The Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism should also have an input into the Department of Education and Science in bringing together the sporting facilities of more than one school or college in a town. Every college in the country is trying to provide sporting facilities for its students. These facilities could be provided jointly and used by more than one college in common. Specialist sports instructors could also be shared by a number of colleges within a given town or area.

We should also have a template for swimming pools. I cannot understand why every local authority in the country is designing swimming pools. Why can a template not be provided for each local authority which could then raise the necessary funds and build the swimming pool? It is ridiculous that every local authority is drawing up individual plans for swimming pools.

I did some hill walking this summer. This sport is on the increase in Ireland and could be greatly enhanced with a little funding. We have wonderful walks in Ireland. These could be advertised and funded and facilities provided for those who wish to participate.