It stated that the remuneration package, which was in excess of €270,000 to CEO Jonathan Hill, was paid in each of the last two years. There is great disquiet and hurt among the staff of the FAI. They have gone through this scenario before. We were promised a full and open reform of the body. There was an apology at the weekend, but how far has it gone?

Also, the issue of the make-up of the board of the FAI, and its gender requirements, rumbles on. It needs to be met ahead of this December AGM, because as the Minister of State quite rightly pointed out last week, the ramifications for not doing so will result in cuts of 50% in funding in January for equipment grants and clubs that need it at a grassroots level. Indeed, as the Minister of State rightly said, the issue needs to be addressed by all governing bodies ahead of the deadline. We do not need any more controversies. We need the good news stories that the Minister of State has outlined, such as the investment by the Government in places such as Tallaght Stadium, Dalymount Park and Finn Harps Football Club. The investment is being felt on the ground, not just at a League of Ireland level, but at a local level in the grounds the Minister of State has visited with me, such as Navan Town Cosmos Football Club, Park Villa Football Club and the clubs throughout our own County Meath. That is where we need to see the investment.

The Minister of State touched on the large-scale infrastructure bodies and how he is discussing a new scheme with the Minister for public expenditure and reform. I will ask about the construction of that scheme, because in the last scheme many projects were not moved on. We cannot have the same scenario again. I appreciate the construction costs have gone up and I appreciate the issues around Covid-19, but too many of the large-scale infrastructure projects were not moving. Has the Minister of State looked at the construction of that, as well as what the requirements would be for successful applicants to actually move on what is being done?

Regarding other sports and minority sports in this country, I am thinking of cricket in particular, we have seen very welcome advancements in making sure that sport is enjoyed not just by the pillar sporting organisations but in all sports throughout this country. The investment package that is being put in place through the capital sports grant is making that a reality. In one fell swoop, we went from €40 million funding per annum to €150 million per annum. I do not care what anyone says - in any man's language that was a hugely significant jump in State funding of sport. It shows the Government's commitment and its appreciation for what sports clubs do across the length and breadth of this country. There are more than 2,000 clubs in receipt of that. I hope that when the Minister of State announces the new round in the new year that we will see funding not just of an equal term but in excess of that so that we can make sure that the clubs that need that investment will get it.

As the Minister of State has said, we have a big year ahead of us on so many fronts and in so many major international competitions. At the end of the day, the main focus and drive of all sports bodies - and I say this as someone who worked as a sports journalist for many years - are not on the big days and the big events, which are what everyone may talk about. This is a matter of the local club field. That is where the power of sports clubs is truly felt. It is imperative that we drive investment because too many of the debates are about the core funding at a national level. It is at a local level that that is most required.

Finally, I will mention a sport in which we excel. The Minister of State mentioned the Olympics. A sport in which we excel in those Olympic Games and many other championships has a presence in halls right across the country. That is the sport of boxing. This weekend, the International Boxing Association, IBA, junior world championships will take place in Armenia for the first time after a break of eight years. We have 12 boxers taking part in those championships in Armenia, including our own Meath woman, Tegan Farrelly, from the Dunboyne Boxing Club. I wish them all well. It is a huge credit to them and all the coaches that they have made it as far as Armenia. We hope to see more success for the Irish and for the Irish flag to be hoisted this weekend.