Eamonn Coghlan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

In my opening remarks this time last year, perhaps on this day last year, when I stated "Britton conquered Europe", I was referring not to economic affairs in Europe, but to young Fionnuala Britton who happened to win the European Cross Country Championships for Ireland. It would be remiss of me if I did not mention this young lady again today because on Sunday last, she won the European Cross Country Championships and did something no other European lady has ever done, that is, retain the title. Not only did Ms Britton win the championship, but mná na hÉireann came through on the day when they became the first ever Irish women's team to win a major international cross-country event. When I look at these young ladies, who were not expected to win a medal of any colour let alone gold, it is a reflection on the wonderful volunteers and coaches who they have had from the time they were young children all the way through to being European champions, and I commend all the coaching that has taken place in Ireland.

In 2012, there has been much doom and gloom - cost-cutting and budget reductions - but when we reflect on the year, I think we will find that the highlights came from the men and women who represented Ireland in sports around the world, from Ms Katie Taylor to Ms Britton, Ms Annalise Murphy, Mr. Rory McIlroy, even Leinster, and the Donegal team which won the All-Ireland Football Championship. I welcome that there was only a 2.5% reduction in the budget for sport this year. Despite the cuts affecting all of these athletes, they never complain about them. They get on about their business and do the hard work to see can they represent themselves and Ireland proudly.

I want to ask the Leader about the grants which were announced last week where some ¤26 million went to sports.

GAA, soccer and rugby, which are the big three sports, receive the majority of the funding. In future we should consider not giving the money to where it already is, but to start looking at smaller sports which need as much help as possible.