Mary Moran (Labour) | Oireachtas source

-----in support of what has been said with respect to senior gardaí. I wholeheartedly agree with Senator Paul Coghlan that it should be possible, through some mechanism, to be able to contact members who served in the higher ranks of the Garda and who have experience with regard to activities in my area, particularly along the Border area. I thank the chief superintendent and pay tribute to him for his outstanding work.

I would add my voice in support of Senator Mooney's comments on the coverage of sport. He mentioned women's sport and I agree with him on that. I received support from many Senators last year when I asked that equal coverage be given to the Special Olympics and the Paralympics as they took place. It broke my heart to see the Paralymics follow the Olympic Games in London and not receive any live coverage. I agree with what Senator Mooney said about women's soccer. I found it very disrespectful when members of the team opposing Dundalk were on the pitch during the second half of the women's game while it was still going on. Women deserve respect and equality when it comes to sport.

Will the Leader to arrange a debate on the subject of sport? I raised a matter on the Order of Business earlier in the week and was ruled out of order because I paid tribute to a certain football team which won the cup and league, doing the double, and it also won them last year. I do not see why we cannot pay tribute to people who are outstanding in a sport or in a team. I am not mentioning them.