Terry Brennan (Fine Gael)

Maybe I am not too late and there will be some drop outs.

It was a great honour when the Taoiseach appointed me as Fine Gael spokesperson in the Seanad on tourism and sport. It is a very interesting and diverse brief and we are now at a time when the importance of sport is being recognised for many reasons. We recognise that sport can be extremely important in lifting the national spirit. Ireland's magnificent victories over Australia and, more recently, Italy during the rugby world cup have provided an enormous feel-good factor, as does the success of our Irish boxers, currently competing for places at next year's Olympic Games in the world championships taking place in Azerbaijan. The progress of Shamrock Rovers in European football is a wonderful development and highlights how league of Ireland soccer has progressed over the years. With fewer of our young people gaining contracts at clubs in England, it is important the Department looks at creating more educational courses that are tied in with the FAI and the League of Ireland.

We generally associate sport with the younger generation, but I would like to recognise the more mature sportsmen on the Irish senior amateur golf team, chosen from the four provinces, who recently won the triple crown at Woodhall Spa in England. This was a magnificent achievement and it was their fourth year in a row to win this. One of those occasions took place in Westport, either last year or the year before. A pat on the back for our more senior sportsmen.

Ireland's premier position in the world of horse racing was highlighted to a global audience last May with the visit of Queen Elizabeth II. During her visit to the country, Queen Elizabeth chose to visit the National Stud, where she was shown a parade of stallions, including the stud's flagship sire, Invincible Spirit. The Queen met a number of Irish trainers and jockeys and make private visits to two other stud farms. The message was clear: Ireland was at the top of the game when it came to thoroughbred racing. The Queen's interest in Irish racing gave the industry the kind of global positive publicity that money cannot buy. We are indebted to her for her keen interest in one of Ireland's most important industries. It was a pity our equestrian team recently failed, by a narrow margin in Madrid, to qualify for the next year's Olympic Games.

I refer to our indigenous sports, hurling and Gaelic football. The two recent all-Ireland finals were spectacular showcases of skill, courage and pride. Last year's all-Ireland hurling final had the second highest viewing figures of any programme broadcast in Ireland last year. This year's all-Ireland finals attracted full houses. I was honoured to be a spectator at both matches.

Last April, the Taoiseach, Deputy Enda Kenny, addressed the GAA annual congress and referred to the importance of the GAA, describing the association as an intrinsic part of the fabric of our society. He also referred to the sense of community, identity and pride instilled by the GAA across our country. I pay tribute to the immense contribution made by many organisations to all sports. I also pay tribute to the many men and women who give of their time organising our sports on a voluntary basis. As the Minister of State said, these volunteers are often forgotten and not fully appreciated.

The Taoiseach, a great footballer himself, described the Fine Gael attitude to sport when he said:

Sport combines a healthy approach to competitiveness and the promotion of the concept of fair play. This combination is extraordinary and its influence plays an important role in the education of young people. Leadership and respect for others are two of the important themes of Gaelic games and all sports and these are qualities that translate right across into community work and everyday life regardless of where you live. I would ask that we continue to encourage young people to become involved in sport and to learn that honest effort has its own reward in sport, as in life.

Fine Gael recognises the importance of sport and the importance of the GAA in particular in Irish society. There is growing recognition that the importance of sport is not limited to its social or community aspects but is vital in the context of public health.

Obesity is an increasing problem in society. In particular, there has been a sharp increase in the number of people who are morbidly or severely obese. The consequences of obesity are manifold and it can create a range of health problems, including type II diabetes, heart disease, stroke, certain types of cancer and premature death.

The statistics suggest that 38% of Irish people are overweight and 23% are obese. At least 120,000 Irish people are severely obese. Recent studies estimate there are approximately 300,000 children in Ireland who are overweight or obese, which is alarming. The number of teenage boys who are overweight has increased from 6% in 1990 to 19% in 2008. The obesity problem described by some as an epidemic has serious consequences for our health services. The Taoiseach recently stated that his Government understands that sport has major potential to contribute to the development of a healthier society. Our goal in Government is to ensure that all people are encouraged and given opportunities to participate in sport and to enjoy all the benefits sport can bring through the development of a healthy lifestyle, particularly in disadvantaged areas.

A special budget measure was introduced in 2001 to increase the level of participation by younger people in three major field sports and, to date, the GAA has received over €26 million under this scheme. The Government is committed to continuing this support, and the Minister of State, Deputy Ring, recently announced the 2011 allocations. Earlier this month, the Minister of State announced funding for 51 local authority-backed sports projects across the country. The money allocated by the Government to local authorities for sporting projects amounted to almost €3 million. Funding was allocated to projects that will boost participation in sports, such as new playing surfaces, outdoor gym equipment, fitness trails, floodlighting and refurbishment of changing facilities.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Minister of State-----