Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I support the Order of Business as outlined. This morning, we heard the good news that a new round of the sports capital and equipment programme is opening from 17 July. This is a wonderful opportunity for sports and community groups around the country to develop the infrastructure that is so important to our towns and communities.

It is good to see that the amounts have increased and that local projects can now apply for up to €200,000, which has increased from €150,000, and those of regional significance can get up to €500,000. This is a key source of capital funding and, of course, those that are sustainable and those that have gender equality have a better opportunity than others. However, I would suggest that local communities look at ways in which different groups can avail of funding. It is really important that we have multipurpose organisations working together. We should not have a number of separate buildings, shall we say, or infrastructures. It is a super opportunity.

Speaking about sport, of course, female participation in sport, and a higher visibility of female sport, is really important. We have seen all the excitement about the women's soccer team going over to Australia. I wish them well in their first upcoming match against the home country. There is a campaign for a player charter. It is really important to see ladies football and camogie players coming together. Mr. John Kiely, the Limerick hurling manager, came out strongly in support of this at the weekend. It is important that there is a charter to provide the basics, such as medical care, gym facilities, nutrition and expense arrangements for our county players. The days of female athletes having to change in cars and toilets should be well and truly gone. However, I have seen in my own county and around the country situations where female players and teams are not being given the same support. We absolutely have to call a halt to that. I appeal to the Minister of State with responsibility for sport, Deputy Thomas Byrne, who I know is passionate about female participation in sport, to make sure that charter really is negotiated and implemented.

The last item I wish to raise, which has been raised previously and about which I have spoken in the Chamber, is our meeting with representatives from the Association of Irish Local Government, AILG, last week. We are getting to a stage now when conventions are being held around the country. We have excellent councillors and candidates coming forward. Local communities and politics and democracy need them. We have to treat our councillors with absolute respect. The representatives spoke to us about a number of issues, but the one glaring issue about which something must be done is the gratuity. In any other job situation, if somebody is retiring and he or she was working on the basis of an old agreement and old pay structure, I believe it would be struck out by law. It is important that this gratuity is sorted once and for all.