James Reilly (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his response. I welcome his acknowledgement that the Lusk 2020 plan aims to foster an integrated approach to developing sports and physical recreation facilities and that this is the Government's aim. I welcome the Government's commitment to sport and the grants that have been allocated in recent years. I welcome that the Minister said that it is pleasing that the overall objective of the Lusk 20020 plan is in accordance with the Government's overriding principles and that the plan is welcome, in particular in terms of setting out how the local community and relevant local authority can work together to get more people to participate in sport. I also welcome that the Department will consider the application for capital funding.

We have an opportunity to buck the former trend for houses to be built in an area, followed by roads and, latterly, facilities. We have an opportunity. We know that Lusk will grow and that there is a housing issue. We know that a place such as Lusk, which is in central Fingal, will be the site of further development. Facilities should be built in anticipation of housing development. The facilities are needed now but will be needed even more in the future.

As Members know, this is the month of mental health awareness. As the Romans used to say, "mens sana in corpore sano", which means "a healthy mind in a healthy body". Childhood habits can stay with a person for life. Outdoor exercise, healthy competition, learning about teamwork and the value of volunteerism are all embodied in this worthwhile project. I call on the Minister to facilitate it. He could play a pivotal role were he to accede to my two requests. He has indicated that the second of my requests will be considered by the Department. In terms of my first, if the Minister were to write a letter encouraging Fingal County Coucil to acquire these lands from the developer - who has agreed as part of planning permission to hand them over - it would give great heart to the many people in Lusk who have worked very hard to make this plan a reality.