John Paul Phelan (Fine Gael)

I agree with the comments of Senators about the facilities in Croke Park, which is a fantastic stadium. Full credit needs to be given not only to those who had the vision to propose the redevelopment of the stadium in the first instance, but also to the successive Governments which helped to fund the project. The proportion of the overall cost of the redevelopment of Croke Park that was met from national resources is quite small. I am somewhat taken aback by the emphasis that is placed by Fianna Fáil Members on its party's record in respect of Croke Park. When Deputy Quinn was Minister for Finance during the term of the rainbow coalition between Fine Gael, the Labour Party and Democratic Left, that Government was criticised left, right and centre by Fianna Fáil when it decided to give a grant to the GAA to help with the cost of the initial stages of the redevelopment of Croke Park. I do not refer to the representatives of Fianna Fáil who are present in the Chamber. I recall that members of that party criticised the decision on the national airwaves. I am sure they made similar protests in this Chamber and in the other House. They cannot have it both ways by praising the project now. Credit is due to the successive Governments which helped to fund Croke Park, which is an excellent facility. We should not be hypocritical in this regard, however. I remember that members of the current Government were less than satisfied when funding was allocated by my predecessors almost ten years ago, when the redevelopment of Croke Park was getting up and running.

I am disappointed that the Government motion before the House does not place any emphasis, until its final paragraph, on the level of participation in sport, which is a crucial issue. Senator Feighan spoke about women in sport. I agree with his remarks about a phenomenon that can be noticed throughout the country. Crowds of young people gather to engage in exercise, particularly in urban areas, even though appropriate sporting facilities are not available to them to allow them to spend their time more fruitfully. Such people would be willing to use such facilities if they were available.

In a recent budget, the Government slashed the level of funding available for the development of new municipal swimming pools. It is wrong that a significant town like Thurles does not have a local authority swimming pool, as far as I am aware. That is what I was told by a resident of the town when I visited it during the summer for a hurling match. When one considers that the level of funding for such swimming pools has been slashed by the Government, it is no wonder that other towns throughout the country are in a similar position to Thurles.

All Senators will agree that the involvement of local authorities in proper planning and development is a crucial aspect of the debate about the level of participation in sporting activities. It cannot be denied that an unsatisfactory number of active green spaces is being provided by local authorities. Senator Feighan was correct to refer to the need to take the demands of walkers into account when new bypasses are being developed. The ring road around Kilkenny city was constructed 20 years ago, when Fine Gael and the Labour Party were in Government. The Government has so far failed to provide the bypass. The project is said to be ongoing but no work is being done. Senator Feighan was correct to point to the use of roads and bypasses as a walking facility by many. The future development of roads and bypasses throughout the country should take account of these needs because they have not been considered heretofore.

It is worth reminding the House that with this Government, the €130 million referred to in the motion would get a third of a PPARS system, two national aquatic centres or a bit of a new national stadium. While the funding is undoubtedly an increase on previous spending, it is a paltry amount when it comes to addressing the sporting needs of the country. It is a shameful figure when one considers how much money the Government wasted on schemes that have delivered little, particularly in the health services. I fully support my colleague's amendment. Rather than engaging in self-congratulation, I urge the Government to engage in real activity on the ground.