John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)

Spending has been of the order of €500 million. Tremendous progress has been made across the country.

The issue of women in sport was mentioned and it remains a problem. It is estimated that the number of women actively engaged in sport is approximately 11%, which is extremely low and we are trying to rectify the problem. This year we again made a special provision in addition to the provision we made last year to encourage women into sport. Funding has been provided through the Irish Sports Council with a view to bringing more women into sport. I hope our investment of €2.25 million will ensure that more women will take part in sport and we can continue to increase this kind of investment.

Senator Ryan referred to a tax allowance for GAA players, which is a complex issue. The former Minister for Finance introduced a tax allowance scheme for professional sportsmen and sportswomen. This is different from providing a tax allowance for amateur sportsmen and sportswomen, and is very complex. I have indicated to the GAA that the question of having a grant scheme is in the first instance a matter for that association. If it indicates that it is willing to approve such a scheme, the Government would then give it consideration. No more than I would tell the GAA that it should open or close Croke Park for other games, I am not in a position to instruct the GAA on a matter as fundamental as this. We are waiting to hear from the GAA and no doubt we will hear relatively shortly.

A number of contributors referred to the important area of volunteerism. The real heroes and heroines of Irish sports are the people who bring the children out on Sunday mornings to coach and manage them and who line the pitches, put up the flags and hang the nets. They are not often given the acclaim they deserve, so I acknowledge the pivotal role played by these heroic volunteers of Irish sport.

With regard to the future of sport in Ireland, we have made a number of advances. The Lansdowne Road stadium is an exciting development, although it is regrettable that objections have been made in that respect. I would prefer a world class stadium to a concrete jungle but we can be sure that, if planning permission is not obtained for a new stadium, a concrete jungle will be built on Lansdowne Road. It is important for the future that we continue to catch up with our European neighbours. We are almost there and the strategy is in place. An institute of sport is the necessary next step in order to develop elite athletes. When we have elite athletes, we will have role models and heroes and heroines who will be looked up to by young people. That will foster a greater level of participation which, in turn, will result in more elite athletes.

It is hoped that the FAI will be the first tenants of the office accommodation and administrative facilities at the sports campus at Abbotstown, followed by other NGOs. I hope future Governments, irrespective of political orientation, will continue to expand Abbotstown. We are just stringing the first pearls onto the necklace and, if pearls are added by different Governments as the years pass, Ireland will have a world class facility capable of hosting the best and biggest international sporting competitions. There is no reason that goal cannot be achieved if the proper facilities are put in place. We have embarked upon an irreversible journey which will benefit future generations even more than Senators can envisage.