Eamonn Coghlan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I support the Minister of State on this particular aspect. The Irish Sports Council and the National Sports Campus Development Authority have worked hand-in-hand for quite a number of years. As we all know, the Irish Sports Council was established under the Act in 1999 while the National Sports Campus Development Authority was established in 2006. Since 2006, both bodies have worked hand-in-hand on every aspect of sport in Ireland. Under the reform, we are bringing the two bodies together under one board. As I said last week, the most difficult part of the Minister of State's job will be to identify one chief executive and one board. Currently, there are two chief executives and two boards. The approach the Minister of State is taking brings about continuity because of the working relationship both bodies have had over the past number of years. Why does it bring about continuity? It does so because the knowledge that is there will remain there for the next year or so. The Minister said that the CEO will be designated for one year.

People can apply to join the new board of Sport Ireland through open application. This will be in the public domain. That board and its chairman will be appointed. This brings continuity to the appointment of a chief executive when after one year, anybody, including myself, can apply for the position of chief executive of Sport Ireland. It is very important that continuity in the area of sport is maintained, particularly with world championships and the Olympic Games coming up in 2016. Week after week and month after month, we talk about the wonderful successes of Irish sportsmen and women in this House, not just at international level but at local level. That is because of the working relationship that has been established between the two bodies and that continuity must continue throughout next year. I support the Minister of State in this regard.