Michael Brennan (Progressive Democrats)

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Killeen, to the House and congratulate him on his appointment. I wish him well for the future. I recognise the work of the Minister, Deputy O'Donoghue, and his Government colleagues in approving sports funding under the national lottery as part of the programme for Government. It is nice to see all sporting codes availing of grants. I would like to think that the grants provided to the Gaelic Athletic Association for the development of Croke Park were in recognition of that organisation's provision of a world-class stadium. The GAA provided sports facilities around the country long before the introduction of sporting grants and the recent earmarking of funds for the GAA was also in recognition of that fact. The use of the playing facilities at Croke Park is a business proposition that will be sorted out in the near future.

Much has been said about the allocation of sports grants to parishes throughout the country. It should be said, however, that the committees that earmarked such developments comprise members of political parties and of none. The Government has rewarded that community effort by providing such facilities at local level. Charges have been levied to provide certain local facilities in towns and villages under development plans outlined by community groups in conjunction with local authorities. It is important to work together to provide social facilities of which we can be proud. I congratulate the Minister of State on his performance.