Seanad debates

Thursday, 4 December 2008

Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage

 

1:00 pm

Photo of Labhrás Ó MurchúLabhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)

I look forward to the Minister of State's response to these amendments because I know he is keenly conscious of the importance of the sports organisations, their value within and the contribution they make to communities. One could go so far as to say that without many of these sports organisations, communities would certainly be very impoverished. They also play a very distinctive social role because it is through those organisations that young people are gainfully occupied and they learn team spirit which often spills over into other aspects of community activity. Anti-social behaviour exists on the periphery of life and sport helps to ensure that this behaviour does not expand. The focus on sporting fitness can help keep young minds from thinking about alcohol and drugs. A person who wants to be supremely fit will not succumb to abuse of alcohol or other types of drugs. All the points made regarding the unifying effects of sport are important. Anybody who has seen their local club advancing in a championship and sees a whole village or town following that team will know that the team becomes the focus of the community and the focus of the very essence of community. This is an important value to have and if this value is removed, there is less cohesion within the community. Sports make a contribution to the economy because hurleys and sports gear must be produced and sold.

It is a different issue in the case where sport has become a commercial pursuit. They are then charging for their services and are able to provide themselves with whatever finances are necessary. It is important to make that distinction. I hope the Minister of State in his reply will be able to point to sections of the Bill which show there is accommodation for some of the points raised.

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