Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State. I feel the pressure of trying to follow that contribution from Senator Cassells. I fully agree with him. He is a passionate sportsman. He speaks with great knowledge and conviction on sport. He made a good and strong opening contribution.

The key concept the Senator talked about was the power of sport. It is a powerful thing. There must be a greater focus on sport in our local communities. Many of the smaller clubs have always struggled. Much of people's energy is taken up in making a case to get funding for local clubs. What does sport do? It builds confidence, stamina and resilience. Those are all critical parts of our education and formation as young people. I acknowledge the Government's investment in sport, which is commendable. There are many demands on Government finances but it is good that the focus has been kept on the importance of sport. We could do more and I know the Government wants to do more. No one in political life would like to see a reduction in our commitment to sport. The Government has flown the flag strongly and shown its commitment.

Anyone who saw or was involved in the GAA All Stars Awards on Saturday night could not help but see the power of the young men and women involved in the sport. GAA is strong and well organised. I spoke to a parish priest from County Meath the other night who told me he wished his parish could be organised like the GAA. I said I thought they were all part of the one and he told me the GAA has moved much further in terms of considering what community is about. I will come to other sports but the GAA in particular is the very backbone of community. When I look at Laois, Offaly and Galway, GAA clubs are everywhere. Their clubhouses make a statement. It was a passion for generations of families to come together build those clubhouses. They fundraise. They partner with and, rightly, seek funding from Government. These organisations are the bedrock of communities. Such clubs were once stronger in rural than urban areas but I now think of Kilmacud Crokes and many others that are up there in that space. Thinking of the GAA All Stars Awards, I am aware that the players present were once young fellows, banging a ball against a wall or whatever they were doing. They have pride in being selected to play for their counties and what a great pride that must be. It is positive that we continue to spend money.

I acknowledge the IRFU and the enormous work it has done in mentoring young men and women in rugby. This goes back to our 31 local authorities and sports partnerships. That is where it all begins. It is about setting those dreams and that ambition, and pulling together as teams. There are many more people behind the scenes than just the players on the team and on the pitch. I acknowledge that. It is important that we continue to fund adequately youth programmes in our schools and sports clubs, and to provide for mentoring. That is important because they are the role models for sport. We see the amount of people who move on from sport. It is amazing the amount of people in public life who have come through sport. A considerable amount of people in Dáil Éireann, Seanad Éireann and local councils have come from the discipline of sport and what that brings in respect of community participation.

I want to turn for a moment to the disability sector. I am conscious, as the Minister of State is, of the Dormant Accounts Fund, from which Sport Ireland has established a local disability sports fund. The closing date for submissions was in early October. It is important that we support people through the provision of disability specific training and education, and the provision of resources for local clubs and volunteers. They have extra struggles and challenges and need supports. It is important that we continue to expand and promote the opportunities for people with disabilities who wish to come through in meaningful and competitive sport. That is important.

I say "Yes" to and fully support the plans for Casement Park. It has great potential to unite people. You win their minds and you win their hearts. I have spoken to people who are fiercely supportive of the development Casement Park. It is a real opportunity for bringing people together.We bring people together through sport and other means. However, sport is a particularly good one that I support.

I say well done to the Government. I ask it to keep focus. I know it would like to do more but it is very important for the health of our nation, citizens, people and community that we continue to strongly invest in and partner with sport. Clubs are not all looking for total hand-outs. It is about a meaningful partnership in sport. I particularly commend the focus in the past few years on the greater participation of women in sport.

We also need to be conscious of some of the difficulties around sport, including keeping our people safe in sport and our protocols around it. For far too long, too many people who attached themselves to sport took advantage of young, vulnerable children and teenagers and, indeed, adults, and somehow got away. Quite frankly, that is not good enough either. We are seeing stronger protocols in that area, which is to be commended, but we must always be vigilant. There needs to be a focus on training of our mentors, coaches and participants. There is also a role for parents and guardians in that regard. We have always to be mindful and watchful that we keep our children and young people safe in public spaces, public places and in public participation in sport.

Well done on all these measures. It is a good news story. I thank the Minister of State.