Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

When the Irish team was doing well I was as interested as anyone else although I did not know what LBW was before. The Senator is quite correct that we all want to support a good Irish team, to support our athletes and give them every chance. As Minister of State with responsibility for sport in difficult times I was delighted I was able to hold the funding to the best of my ability. Now that the economy is beginning to lift we will get a bit more money in.

Sport is competing with education, health and agriculture. When I compare my budget with those of some of the other Departments I think it is wrong. We should be putting more money into the development of sport. A healthier society with healthier people who are participating in sport is better for the future. Sometimes we do not look ahead. I ask for the Senators' support to make sure that when the Minister for Finance and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform come in here they tell them more money should be put into sport.