Terry Brennan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Ar dtús, could I be associated with the congratulations to the three students from Kinsale Community College? To be first in the world in anything is no mean achievement. It is a major achievement, and all credit must go to the students, as well as their parents and teachers.

It was a great weekend for sport, although I am not so sure it was a great All-Ireland. I thought the Special Olympics achievements in Antwerp would have been overlooked, but they were not. I wish to acknowledge the previous contributions from my colleagues in that regard. It was a major achievement in Belgium, with 2,000 athletes, representing 58 countries, taking part. We ended up with 57 medals. The most important achievement was the award for sportsmanship and fair play obtained for Ireland at those games. The athletes were acknowledged for their sportsmanship. We heard what happened after the games in Dundalk at the weekend, but I congratulate Dundalk on their achievement. We must acknowledge, however, what has been achieved by the Special Olympians. It was the most successful Special Olympic Games ever in Europe. Congratulations are due to the athletes themselves, as well as to their families and mentors. As a nation we should be proud of their achievements. I was afraid they might have been overlooked, but they were not.

I must acknowledge also that the DNA in Kerry is producing the names of O'Shea, Moran, Spillane and so on.