Denis Landy (Labour) | Oireachtas source

As the Senator said that night, Maurice Davin was the first president of the Gaelic Athletic Association and somewhere along the way in the mists of history it became a mainstream hurling and football association which I support strongly and athletics were not as prominent. It is great that the Senator, one of our foremost athletes, recognised Maurice Davin. I greatly appreciate it.

We all need sporting icons because when we engage in sporting activity, we have to think about somebody. It is easier on a winter's evening to sit in front of a television than go out and run. Sean Kelly, who is also from Carrick-on-Suir, is another great icon. It is great that the Giro d'Italia is coming to Ireland. However, it needs to be promoted more strongly nationally and internationally. It is apporaching and there is not a great realisation either in the sporting world, particularly the cycling world about this event. Can anything else be done to promote this?

I commend the Minister for the work he has done since taking office. We have a long way to go, but a great deal has been done. His proposal for a local sports centre in every town is fantastic. I do not know how he will get over all of the historical events that have happened. When he mentioned garrison sport, I thought of the term "garrison towns" which my late father used all his life. He said it with disdain because he was a GAA man and the connotation was that a garrison town had a good soccer team. I love soccer, but he did not. The first time he ever watched the sport was when Ireland took part in the World Cup finals for the first time. Notwithstanding this, all sports must be brought together and we must ensure everyone has access to sport and that all sports have an equal opportunity to prosper. I hope the Minister can make a start with the provision of sports centres. Perhaps he will be in office for the next 20 years and see 20 of them built.