Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State who is always generous with his comments. However, his official reply is very disappointing. He indicated that a cross-departmental approach is being taken in the discussions. I want the Minister for Education and Skills or the Minister for Transport, Sport and Tourism to offer leadership in developing the appropriate infrastructure. That may involve local negotiations with a view to schools sharing facilities. We cannot leave 1,000 or more girls in Galway city without a gym. The solution should involve consulting girls at second level to find out what they are interested in doing because if the right space and environment is not available to them, they will probably not participate at all. I hope the Minister of State will relay my comments to the Minister, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, although many Ministers make that commitment but do not do so.