Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 23: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he has met the new chief executive of the Football Association of Ireland since his appointment; if so, the nature and content of any discussions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9162/05]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, interviews for the post of chief executive of the Football Association of Ireland, FAI, were held on Wednesday, 9 March 2005. Due to the short time that has elapsed and the number of other commitments already in place, I have not yet had the opportunity to meet the new CEO since his formal appointment on Friday, 11 March 2005. However, I assure the Deputy that I will meet the CEO to discuss matters relating to the development of soccer in Ireland.

I would also like to point out that my Department officials are in regular, ongoing contact with the FAI in relation to such issues as the provision of playing and training facilities and the implementation of the FAI's technical development plan.

In addition, a senior official of the Department is a member of the Irish Sports Council's liaison group with the FAI on the implementation of the Genesis report. The official in question was also a member of the interview board, which was established to select the new chief executive officer of the FAI.

The Secretary General of my Department had a meeting with the CEO of the FAI on Wednesday, 16 March last at which the various projects and programmes with which the Department is involved with the FAI were discussed.