Martin Conway (Fine Gael)

I pay tribute to the comments of the Minister of State in the House this evening. He is doing a fine job. Recently, I was at a conference on disability in Galway. The importance and equality that sports creates for people with disability is well-recognised. The FAI has led the charge with Football for All programme.

In his short period as Minister of State, Deputy Michael Ring has introduced several initiatives that have helped, in particular the swimming pool initiative announced some months ago. Every young person and child in the country has the right to learn how to swim. There are many facilities throughout the country run primarily by volunteers who are engaging in that. Has the Minister of State any plans to extend the swimming pools programme? It has already been a remarkable success in upgrading facilities run and operated primarily by volunteers, people who give up their time to engage in doing what is right to ensure the population is as healthy and as safe as possible.