Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I wish the new Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Dara Calleary, well on his appointment, albeit in very strange circumstances. He is an exceptional politician and will bring a lot to the brief and to his important Department. I wish him every success.

I wish to talk briefly about the great legend and footballer Jack Charlton.I am surprised no one has raised this matter already. For those of us who were here during Italia 90 and witnessed the Irish team's return to Ireland, we saw what Jack did for us in terms of sport and soccer, which gave us great pride. I am a personal friend of Paul McGrath. I grew up with him so I had the privilege of being on that famous bus which travelled from Dublin Airport right up to O'Connell Street. I have a lovely photograph of the occasion on my desk. Our spirits were all lifted high and people who had never played football suddenly believed we had won the World Cup. I mention the great sense of pride an Englishman instilled in us that we could do it, we could believe in ourselves, we could play on the international stage, hold our heads up high and be proud. We had this belief when it came to various other sports but suddenly football became a really big issue.

I have heard so much in recent days about statues and monuments to Jack Charlton. I do not particularly favour monuments. We need a living legacy and it is for the Government to invest in sport and recreation and to encourage our young people to participate and be competitive in sport in a healthy way. I would like to know if we could have the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to come before the House at some stage. I know everyone is settling into their briefs and I am not expecting it to be in the next few weeks. At some stage, however, I would like the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in the House in order that we can discuss how we can get more people involved in sport, which gives rise to great healthy benefits. Business needs stimulus and everyone needs stimulus but sport must not be forgotten in the terms of both stimulus and how it can lift the spirits of our people and the country. I would welcome it if the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport could come in at some stage, when suitable.