Aidan Davitt (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I express my disappointment at the disgraceful treatment of the senior Irish women's soccer team by the FAI. The lack of basic facilities and support for professional and semi-professional sport stars is appalling. I am very disappointed that this heavily State-aided and cash-rich professional organisation treats its stars so appallingly and leaves them without access to nutritionists and a gym. Non-professionals who work full time or part time do not have their out-of-pocket expenses covered when representing their country. They also have problems with the accommodation provided when representing their country. The payment of a reasonable gratuity is only fair. One hopes a modern organisation will try to make progress and give equal status to women. Therefore, I hope the FAI will "man up", for want of a better term, and do the right thing.