Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)

The final arrangements in respect of the Olympic Torch have not yet been signed off on. Members will be aware that Mr. Pat Hickey is Ireland's Olympics representative. While media reports indicate what is to happen, we have not yet been officially told what will happen. However, it is hoped people will have an opportunity to participate in whatever happens. We have no hand, act or part in that regard. We have not yet been officially notified of what will happen. Meetings are currently taking place and I am sure we will hear shortly what will happen.

On the sports partnerships race and so on, the sports partnership in my county recently organised a women's marathon, in which 5,500 women took part. Since taking up my position as Minister of State with responsibility for sport I have had three priorities, the first of which is to see more people taking part in sport. Winning is not important. I do not want them all to play for Mayo or Ireland or to win a gold medal in the Olympics but I want them to take part. The cream will rise to the top if we help people.

In regard to funding for high performance athletes, I am delighted to say there will be no change in respect of funding in this regard. It is important our sports people, regardless of what sport in which they are involved, get the best training and preparation to ensure they can represent our country to their best of their ability. We do not want a repeat of what happened in previous times, namely, athletes like Senator Coghlan going abroad to be trained. While that was fine at the time we now have in place great facilities to assist our athletes. I acknowledge Senator Coghlan has been part of that. It is the reason our boxers are so successful. It is hoped we can retain funding in this area.

I am a defender of RTE. I believe that for a small station it does well in terms of what it covers. It is good at providing coverage of soccer, Gaelic and rugby. However, the Senator is correct in that it should perhaps be considering coverage of other sports. Local radio stations lost that segment because they did not do what BBC did. RTE needs to start covering events in this country. I will give some examples of what is happening in my own county. Thousands of people from all over the world come each year to Geesala, which I know the Cathaoirleach has visited on many occasions, for its sports, horse racing and dog racing events. I compliment TG Ceathair which covered an event there this year. Also, I saw coverage of it on Sky Sports this year. Many people also visit Connemara for the pony fair and so on. Senator Harte is correct that RTE should be covering such events. There is no reason it could not provide a slot each evening in the summer months for coverage of national sports events. I will raise the issue with the head of sport at RTE when I meet with him. While RTE may have failed in respect of coverage of the marathon it is good at providing coverage of rugby, soccer and other events.

People often complain about RTE and the amount they pay for their television licence. However, they do not often consider how much they are paying to have Sky in their home. People are critical of RTE despite the fact that Sky Sports costs three times more than it charges.