Eamonn Coghlan (Independent)

Having come to the House from the outside world of sport, having noted the doom and gloom associated with the economic recession and the various cutbacks that have been implemented over recent years and having heard the moaning and groaning, I reflect on the Irish sportsmen and sportswomen who continue to instil in us tremendous pride and passion and lift the spirits of the nation, not just here but among the diaspora throughout the world. Included are our rugby heroes, boxer Katie Taylor who won a gold medal at the European Union Women Championships and the Irish male boxers who also won medals at European level. Last week, we alluded to Rory McIlroy winning the U.S. Open. My own son was part of the Irish team that won the European Cross Country Championships at a time when this was not expected. When I reflect on such successes, I note that sportsmen going through bad times must not focus on the negative but on the positive; otherwise they would keep on losing. If one focuses on the negative, one will have negative energy and if one focuses on the positive, one will have positive energy. This positive energy will overflow into the general public.

Owing to my commitments at a joint committee, I was not in the Chamber some days ago when Special Olympics Ireland was being congratulated on the floor. I understand, however, that Senators were congratulating the organisation and referring to the 107 medals that Team Ireland brought home from the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Athens. I am not present today to offer congratulations on the 107 medals but to highlight what 107 medals represent for Special Olympics Ireland. I refer to the positive energy that exudes from the people who run the organisation. In 2003, the Special Olympics World Summer Games were held in Ireland, and this showcased the country all around the world. Special Olympics Ireland decided to use the legacy of the games in 2003 to build on its activities in Ireland and to provide sports facilities and programmes for people with special needs. Since 2003 Special Olympics Ireland has been regarded as a leader and beacon of light by the global Special Olympics organisation. The global organisation tries to learn from Special Olympics Ireland.

Special Olympics Ireland continues to grow to this very day. Owing to its strategic planning thus far, it has over 25,000 volunteers, and 10,000 athletes and families are involved. The organisation brings together corporate sponsors, Government agencies and the police forces of Northern Ireland and the South. Special Olympics Ireland is an unstoppable force. In 2007, it enjoyed a grant from the Irish Sports Council to the tune of up to €3 million but this grant has been cut by 50%. It now amounts to approximately €1.5 million. When Special Olympics Ireland's grant was cut, we did not hear a word of moaning or groaning from the organisation. It knew it faced a challenge, which was to pull together, work together and become a flame of hope for communities throughout the Thirty-two Counties. The Special Olympics do not just take place every two or four years but every single day, all year round, among the communities. Special Olympics Ireland provides sporting activities for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

Special Olympics Ireland's funding is on a downward trend. I ask the Leader to contact the Department of Health, the Department of Education and Skills and the Department of Social Protection to ascertain whether they have any means of allowing the funding to continue rather than having it allocated through the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and the Irish Sports Council.