John O'Mahony (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We are all aware of how sport can lift the spirit of a nation and it is the first time we have had an opportunity to congratulate our Olympians and Paralympians on their success in Rio. I congratulate the O'Donovan brothers and Annalise Murphy in the Olympics and all the 11 medals we won at the Paralympics, particularly Jason Smyth and Michael McKillop, who are multiple medal winners in the past four Paralympic Games.

Just as we are aware of this, there have been many issues that have depressed the nation and given sport a bad name. We all know about the ticketing situation and I am aware of the commission of inquiry, and I do not want to refer to it too much. There is an issue of governance in Irish sport in some of the governing bodies. During the Olympic Games, a boxer arrived in Rio and failed a drug test. Was it known before he departed Ireland?

Today, a story broke about two boxers who had been disciplined and who were warned regarding betting. One of them had betted on his opponent and against himself. It needs serious attention.I understand there will be reviews by the Irish Sports Council and the Olympic Council of Ireland. In view of all the instances highlighted, when will the funding for the Olympic Council of Ireland be reviewed? While the Irish Sports Council and the Olympic Council of Ireland will provide reports on these matters themselves, will the Leader, at the earliest and most appropriate opportunity, ensure there are answers to these questions? We need to have more successes, which lift the nation, and fewer of the negative issues, which only depress the nation.