Eamonn Coghlan (Independent)

Go raibh míle maith agat. Having listened to the contributions of the Minister of State and Senator Ó Domhnaill, the three of us are singing off the same hymn sheet.

As a former athlete and one who proudly represented Ireland at the highest level around the world, I know at first hand how important sport is to the people of Ireland and how important the success of Irish sportsmen and women abroad is to the diaspora. When it comes to sport, the Irish public expects, and demands, nothing but the best. For many years, I enjoyed the support of tens of thousands of Irish fans cramming arenas all over North America, waving their tricolour flags and screaming their lungs out in anticipation of another win for Ireland. I cannot recall any other athlete I competed against, be he an American, German, New Zealander or British, enjoying the same support I received from the Irish aboard. The Irish are fanatical, loyal supporters and again we witness this every week at the Rugby World Cup which is taking place halfway around the world.

People can say where they were the moment President John F. Kennedy was assassinated or when the Twin Towers were terrorised. The same goes for iconic Irish sporting achievements. People recall where they were when Ronnie Delany won gold in Melbourne, Stephen Roche rode to victory in the Tour de France, Michael Carruth won his Olympic gold, even in the Minister of State's beloved sport when Ray Houghton scored the winning goal against England, Packie Bonner saved that penalty-----