Seanad debates
Wednesday, 12 October 2005
National Sporting Facilities: Motion (Resumed).
—congratulates the Government for investing in the development of facilities which cater for national needs, for example the National Aquatic Centre at Abbotstown, the National Boxing Stadium; the National Rowing Centre at Inniscarra, County Cork, the National Hockey Stadium in UCD and the Tennis Ireland National Centre in Glasnevin;
6:00 pm
Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)
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I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Conor Lenihan, and commend him on his excellent work as regards many issues that have arisen and particularly the situation in Kashmir, Pakistan and India. I encourage him to keep up the good work. While we have a great developing country we must keep in mind the problems of the Third World. The Minister of State is aware of that. The funding should be expanded for that particular tragedy. The situation there appears to be worsening in so far as I can see, and is critical.
I wish to support the motion tabled by my party in this regard. It is time we congratulated the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Deputy O'Donoghue and his staff in the Department on their extra work in this particular regard. Bear in mind that nothing can be done without the national lottery from where the funding comes. As a Member of the Dáil at the time, I supported the former Minister of State with responsibility for sport, Deputy Creed, who brought the National Lottery Bill to the House. Reservations were expressed as to the possibility of people becoming hooked on gambling, but in fact it has worked out relatively well. The problems that some people expected at the time have not materialised. It was a different era. It is nearly 20 years since the Bill was enacted and we supported that particular motion at the time. The country has benefited greatly from the funding realised by the national lottery. Senator Feighan will be delighted to know that CLÁR funding is coming to Roscommon for the projects announced under the national lottery. Senator Ulick Burke's area is not being forgotten. Creggs, which is in his area, is getting additional funding as well. I will not announce that formally tonight, except to reiterate that the Senators have not been forgotten.
Ulick Burke (Fine Gael)
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There will be little left to announce by the time the Senator is finished.
Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)
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Quite a number of the projects in which Senator Feighan is interested and which he supports are also benefiting. Areas such as Kilglass are getting an additional €20,000 on top of the €100,000 already approved. Is that not very welcome? I thank the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Ó Cuív, who brought about this initiative. Not only is the lottery grant being allocated to areas such as Kilglass, but an additional percentage is being allocated under the CLÁR programme. That was and is a Fianna Fáil initiative. When Senator Feighan gets the Roscommon Herald——
Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)
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——he will be delighted to see the effect.
Frank Feighan (Fine Gael)
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I am sure it will be on Shannonside Radio in the morning.
7:00 pm
Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)
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I am just trying to find references to Galway here. Creggs rugby club is to get another €14,000, so that will help. Many Senators have outlined the benefits that have derived to projects in their particular areas. Nothing comes to mind more than the massive swimming pool and recreation centre in Roscommon town. The former Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation, Deputy McDaid, was an extremely good friend of Roscommon when that was approved. The Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism should now consider the whole question as to the maintenance of approved projects. The capital costs have been provided, but the ongoing costs of developing projects should be considered. For example, in Ballaghadereen, where more than €300,000 has been collected for the erection of a swimming pool, it will be very difficult to build it without prior commitment as to the maintenance costs. I support that project in Ballaghadereen, which is a growing town. I am sure Senator Feighan will join with me in supporting it as well. An application has been made to the Department by Roscommon County Council for funding for that particular project. I hope that it will be provided.
From a national viewpoint the €103.49 million for Croke Park is a worthy investment. That amount of money has been provided by the Government for Croke Park since 1998. It is a truly magnificent venue and the GAA deserves to be congratulated on its investment in that particular project. It is a state-of-the-art location, providing all the facilities. The GAA showed initiative in taking on the project. Next Monday the detailed design for the Lansdowne Road stadium will be announced, a venue that everyone will be watching tonight. I am sure the Minister of State will be anxious to get away to watch the match at some stage. Again, the Minister is very involved in that particular project. The aquatic centre in Abbotstown, as well, is a great success, irrespective of the teething problems that arise in any project. Anyone who has built a house will have found that problems always arise in this particular regard. The centre was opened in 2003 for the Special Olympics and in time will be a great success.
The Special Olympics was a great indicator of the support for voluntary work in this country. Everyone involved deserves to be congratulated. It was one of the most magnificent events ever witnessed in Ireland. For those of us who were present at the opening and closing ceremonies, it was the great event of 2003. It is to be hoped that in the future, given the investment in sport, we will host the full Olympic Games in Ireland. I am delighted at London's success in getting the Olympics. it will mean a massive spin-off here. Tourism organisations should now be gearing up towards the benefits that will accrue to Ireland because of our proximity. I am sure the national airline will be active in providing fast direct flights.
Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)
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I am grateful to the Leas-Chathaoirleach. I was going finish with some good news for him, too, which I am trying to locate. However, he will have to wait to read the local newspapers to see the amount of money that is being allocated. It is embargoed until tomorrow, so I cannot say too much about it. Again, I thank the Minister of State and wish him continued success in his portfolio.
Kieran Phelan (Fianna Fail)
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I want to say a special word of thanks to the Minister for coming to the House. I compliment the Government on the tremendous work it is doing. I am not going to delay. There is a very important match on at 7.30 p.m. and I am sure people are anxious to get away to it. I also thank the Minister of State.
The Dail Divided:
For the motion: 17 (James Bannon, Paul Bradford, Fergal Browne, Paddy Burke, Ulick Burke, Paul Coghlan, Noel Coonan, Frank Feighan, Michael Finucane, Brian Hayes, Mary Henry, Michael McCarthy, Joe McHugh, David Norris, John Paul Phelan, Shane Ross, Sheila Terry)
Against the motion: 24 (Cyprian Brady, Michael Brennan, Peter Callanan, John Dardis, Timmy Dooley, Geraldine Feeney, Liam Fitzgerald, Camillus Glynn, Tony Kett, Michael Kitt, Terry Leyden, Don Lydon, Martin Mansergh, John Minihan, Paschal Mooney, Tom Morrissey, Pat Moylan, Labhrás Ó Murchú, Mary O'Rourke, Kieran Phelan, Eamon Scanlon, Kate Walsh, Mary White, Diarmuid Wilson)
Tellers: Tá, Senators Feighan and B. Hayes; Níl, Senators Minihan and Moylan.