Ollie Crowe (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the fact Ireland is opening up and that sports clubs across the country are getting back to training and to participation in sport, which is vital. We, as a House, need to lead in terms of financial support for sports clubs, whether they are GAA, soccer or rugby clubs or whatever the case may be. The Cathaoirleach will be well aware of the officers and volunteers who run these clubs and the huge financial costs involved.

I refer to the 31 local authorities. In Galway city, for example, clubs might have two, three or four pitch licences and they cost in the region of €700 to €800. Naturally, these facilities have not been used over the past number of months. It is incumbent on the local authorities to forgo the cost of those licences. This is significant in highly-populated areas. If a club is using three or four pitches, then one is looking at around €1,500 to €2,000. A message needs to be sent by the Minister of State, Deputy Peter Burke, and the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, on pitch licences. At the end of the day, it is a huge asset to have successful sports clubs throughout the country. They are the backbone of communities and they are going through a huge financial crisis at the moment, as has been outlined by Senators Gallagher and Byrne. We need to come up with innovative ways to support them and help them out. This House should send a message, through the local authorities, that this is essential.

I want to take the opportunity to thank the Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Tony Holohan, who has been a patriot and shown leadership over the past number of months. My fellow Galway man, Dr. Ronan Glynn, from Lydican in Oranmore, is the acting Chief Medical Officer. He is a fine young gentleman, capable and well able and I want to wish him and his family well. It is a significant role and he is well capable and able.