Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail)

It is vital that Ireland grasps the opportunity and that the Minister tackles the officials responsible for us to grasp the opportunity to bring teams to train here. This week, I was in touch with some of the Irish Olympic team athletes, who are currently training in Valencia in Spain. They contacted me because I gave them brochures. The Olympic team manager, Patsy McGonagle, travelled to Valencia with brochures to try to entice other nations to train in Ireland. The news coming back is that the British Olympic Association is offering £25,000 to any Olympic or Paralympic team which uses a British base as a training camp before the 2012 games. We must address this issue. I urge the Leader to ensure the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism comes to the House to discuss this very important issue.

I will return to an issue referred to by Senator Doherty in respect of the sentiments of the 1916 Proclamation and those hugely significant words which refer to cherishing all the children of the nation equally. I am heartened to see here today a very distinguished member of the Northern community who has played a significant role in bridging gaps to bring about the peace process. I welcome the Reverend to the House.