Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail)

I do not agree with the cutting of sports funding — Members on the opposite side of the House raised that last week. We must examine participation levels in sport. Clearly, based on the figures, we are not achieving what other countries are achieving. While everybody wants to watch sport on television, that may not be the healthy option. We need a debate on this issue.

We must also examine the opportunities for Ireland with regard to the Olympics in 2012. I do not think the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism is doing enough. I would like to hear the Minister's viewpoint on the strategy that is being adopted. I have been calling for a debate on this issue since I entered the House but unfortunately there has not been one. I accept the Leader has made every effort to bring the Minister, Deputy Cullen, to the House and, while that Minister has come to the House to discuss tourism issues, he should be invited to discuss sporting issues. I know the Leader is doing his utmost to achieve that. I hope we can have a discussion with the Minister on the sports capital programme and the 2012 Olympics.