Eamonn Coghlan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Having been on the board of the Irish Sports Council over the past number of years, I know consultants were employed in a number of different ways.In particular, they were employed in the areas of sports science and high-performance sports as well as to evaluate the activity levels of the youth and adult populations in Ireland. While the employees of the Irish Sports Council do a wonderful job and are diligent in the delivery of increasing sports participation and high-performance sports in Ireland, there are certain aspects outside their realm where they may need expert help. In political life people need consultants and advisers. We could look into this too deeply with some fear but I believe we need have no fear when it comes to the Irish Sports Council seeking advice in these particular areas.

With the merger of the Irish Sports Council and the National Sports Campus Development Authority, there is another area for which they will perhaps need independent advice because over the coming years, we will see Abbotstown grow into an enormous monument for sports and for the people. I am not referring to elite or high-performance sports people but the population throughout the country, including the young boys and girls who wish to participate. They can utilise these facilities through their clubs. At certain times the new body will need expert independent advice on the delivery of these facilities, aside from what they receive by way of tenders from public companies. I agree with the Minister of State that the Irish Sports Council and Sports Ireland, when it comes into being, will be frugal in their use of consultants and advisers.