Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

If the Senator will let me finish, I am aware of local negotiations across the country where co-operation between the Department of Education and Skills and the local authorities have led to the development of good sporting facilities, including gymnasium halls and swimming pools, that the entire community can use. As a public representative, I have long been concerned about excellent facilities being locked up during school holidays or weekends. We have to examine the resources available to us. A community audit would be worthwhile in this regard to identify the facilities available and ensure their use is maximised. We are operating under financial constraints and we have to utilise whatever facilities are available rather than see them closed at weekends or at 4 p.m. every day. There is a need for basic co-operation but this can be achieved quite quickly by true leadership in local communities.