Eamonn Coghlan (Independent)

On Monday I half expected to read headlines in the Irish newspapers saying Britain conquers Europe. We know about the economic woes in Europe but I am delighted to say it was Fionnuala Britton, representing Ireland in the European Cross Country Championships, who conquered the best Europe had to offer. I pass on our congratulations to Ms Britton, whose mother works in Leinster House, on the wonderful success she achieved in becoming the first Irish person since the great Catherina McKiernan to win a European championship medal.

Over the past weekend two other wonderful ladies represented Irish sport. Young Gráinne Murphy qualified for the Olympic Games and won a bronze medal at the European Short Course Swimming Championships and Annalise Murphy qualified for the Olympic Games at the World Sailing Championships in Perth in Australia.

This is an example of the commitment, passion, energy and enthusiasm our young sports people to their preparation for international competition. I wish we had a little bit more of this passion and enthusiasm for conquering the world when it comes to other areas of Irish society.

If appropriate, I would like the Seanad to acknowledge the wonderful work the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Varadkar, and the Minister of State, Deputy Ring, have done to continue to support Irish sport into the future. Fortunately, the cut to sport this year only represents 5%, or €2 million, but that is indicative of what the Government and the Seanad thinks of our Irish sports men and women.