Charlie McConalogue
Donegal · Fianna Fáil · Ireland
“There are indications that the opt-out mechanism for the text and data mining exception is not working well in practice. Evidence gathered by the Danish Presidency showed that some activity is taking place on the licensing of works for AI, but that it is uneven across member states and subsectors of the creative sector.”
“The proposal involved the development of grass pitches, an Astroturf facility, flood-lighting and dressing rooms. The Football Association of Ireland wrote to my Department in 2023 stating that it no longer intended to proceed with the LSSIF-funded centre of excellence in Glanmire.”
“I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. The programme for Government commits to maintaining sports funding to get more people participating in all levels of sport, particularly targeting cohorts in society where there are lower than average participation levels.”
“This is Ireland's first national strategy for diabetes and it sets out recommendations for action in relation to type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, diabetes in pregnancy and paediatric diabetes. The strategy marks a major milestone in diabetes care in Ireland and represents the development of a unified approach to its delivery.”
“It is anticipated that the final business case will be submitted shortly to my Department. In relation to the site in Glanmire, my Department has been informed that the property has now been leased to Riverstown Football Club by Cork County Council.”
“The structure of that payment, which was agreed between An Post and the postmasters, is designed to maintain and strengthen our post office network and to keep it sustainable, taking into account the number of post offices in an area, the distance to the next nearest post office and the rural nature versus the population base that it migh…”
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“The youth field sports programme is based on an ethos of developing the grassroots of the game, growing participation numbers, embracing communities outside of the traditional base of the sport and improving coaching and playing standards. The current MOU contains 16 recommendations and conditions for the FAI, including completing any outstanding recommendations and conditions from the previous MOU; maintaining governance reforms introduced under the previous MOU; providing information and reports to Sport Ireland to facilitate oversight of the MOU; and cascading governance reform to affiliates and grassroots.”
“During the lifetime of this agreement, the FAI made significant progress on reform, with 159 of the 163, or 98%, MOU recommendations and conditions either completed or phase 1 completed. As the FAI's financial position remained challenging, a second MOU was signed in December 2024, which increased State funding to the FAI to €6 million per annum for the period from 2024 to 2027. The bulk of this funding goes towards the FAI's youth field sports grants, which are aimed at encouraging and creating more opportunities for young people to participate in football through coaching and games development supports.”
“The Government, through my Department and Sport Ireland, the statutory agency for the development of sport, has a long-standing funding relationship with the FAI to support the development of football in Ireland. In recent years, the FAI has made significant progress in reforming its operations, including through implementation of the recommendations and conditions set out in the memorandums of understanding, MOUs, between the Government and the association. Following the financial collapse of the FAI in 2019, the Government and the FAI, in January 2020, agreed an MOU that included an enhanced funding package of €5.8 million per annum for the period 2020 to 2023, underpinned by 163 governance reform recommendations and conditions.”
“While they recently suffered narrow defeats to France and the Netherlands in the World Cup qualifiers, their performances against higher ranking teams gives us much to be optimistic about. Under manager Carla Ward and captain Katie McCabe, the team is transforming women's football, serving as inspirational role models for young girls, as was once again demonstrated by their wonderful performance against Poland last night, winning 3-2 away from home. We wish them well in the return fixture on Saturday, 18 April, in the Aviva Stadium. The Football Association of Ireland, FAI, is the recognised national governing body for association football in Ireland.”
“The double success of the men's team against Portugal and Hungary during one of the greatest weeks in Irish football history last November gave supporters a tremendous lift. While the recent World Cup play-off semi-final against the Czech Republic in Prague ended in defeat, I am sure I speak for all in the House in congratulating Heimir Hallgrímsson and his troops on those performances. They have lifted the nation and breathed new life into Irish football, reconnecting with supporters through their honesty, passion, never-say-die attitude and pride in the green jersey. The senior women's Nations League play-off victory over Belgium last October was equally inspiring.”
“I very much welcome the opportunity to address the House this evening on matters relating to football, the most popular team sport in Ireland. Football can take us from the absolute peaks of delight, such as when Troy Parrott's toe-poke delivered the miracle of Budapest, to the absolute depths of disappointment that we all know too well too recently. It brings whole communities together. It provides social and emotional networks and a common language that we can all understand. It is hugely important for physical well-being and good mental health and is also usually great fun. That is why we all care so much about it and I hope that today's discussions will be beneficial to growing the game further. At the outset, I pay tribute to the Irish senior women's and men's teams for their truly inspiring performances over the past few months.”
“The development and learning achieved by ETBs in ESOL provision over the past four years places the system in a stronger overall position than it had previously. With this in mind, the Department will continue to work closely with SOLAS, ETBI and the ETBs to maximise ESOL provision. The Department will also engage with colleagues across government to co-ordinate wider ESOL provision and ensure that impact is maximised for learners and their communities.”
“I again thank the Senator for raising the matter and providing the opportunity for me, on behalf of the Minister for further education, to outline the situation and background. I assure the Senator that proactive steps are being taken by officials to maximise the impact of ESOL provision within available resources. Since February 2022, demand for ESOL programmes provided by ETBs has risen very sharply. That ESOL provision was critical in supporting migrants in the development of English language skills, while also strengthening communities and supporting access to the labour market. While the end to temporary funding will have impacts in many local areas, the Department, through all the 16 ETBs, continues to support the provision of ESOL courses.”
“Waterford and Wexford ETB is working closely with SOLAS, local integration partners and community organisations to ensure that provision is targeted towards those with the greatest need and that learners are supported to progress into further education, training and employment. The ETB remains committed to maintaining accessible language learning opportunities and will continue to review provision as part of its planning for the 2026 academic year.”
“Waterford and Wexford ETB has assured the Minister that more than 2,000 learners are currently actively engaged in ESOL courses delivered by their ETB which will continue to completion. Waterford and Wexford ETB's initial plans for 2026 include longer ESOL programmes for approximately 2,100 learners, alongside ESOL courses supporting an estimated 400 learners as part of its wider further education and training provision. This demonstrates that ESOL provision remains fully operational across the region. The demand for ESOL remains strong and continues to grow in some areas.”
“Their efforts have offered vital support to people fleeing the war, helping them feel welcomed and to begin to settle into life in Ireland. The Minister extends sincere thanks to ETBs and their staff for their dedication. While this temporary funding enabled a rapid expansion of classes across the sector, it was always intended to be time limited. It supported the emergency phase of assisting displaced Ukrainians as they began integrating into Irish communities. The Department has now moved towards a more sustainable long-term model. As this emergency allocation has now concluded, and in line with budget 2026 parameters, ESOL funding has returned to its 2021 level. To be clear, ESOL classes have not ceased. ESOL programmes continue to be delivered in Waterford and Wexford and across all ETBs.”
“The numbers have more than tripled. Through SOLAS, the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science provides funding to support delivery of FET programmes, including ESOL, across the 16 ETBs. Each ETB then has the autonomy to use this funding, within its overall budget, in the way that best meets the needs of learners, communities and local enterprise. Following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine in 2022, the Department provided significant temporary funding to ETBs to support ESOL provision. This funding was essential in meeting the immediate language needs that arose during the initial response. The Minister wishes to acknowledge the commitment, creativity and flexibility shown by ETBs and their staff in responding to this rapid increase in demand.”
“I thank the Senator for raising this issue, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, who apologises for not being able to be here in person. By way of background, Ireland’s 16 ETBs provide free ESOL classes for those who need support in developing English language proficiency. Courses range from beginner to intermediate levels, as well as advanced or professional ESOL. In some ETBs, ESOL courses are also linked to career areas such as healthcare, hospitality and childcare. Since February 2022, demand for ESOL programmes provided by ETBs has risen sharply. This follows the start of the war in Ukraine. For comparison, in 2021 a total of 9,095 learners were enrolled in ESOL provision across the 16 ETBs. Last year, 30,630 learners enrolled in ESOL.”
“We also want to ensure that the very large complex in the GPO footprint is maximised in its use. We want to ensure it is living and delivering for the local community and retains the important retail aspect of the part of the building that faces onto Henry Street. This is an issue that the Senator has been leading on in Dublin city and within her constituency. Her leadership and advocacy have been important in making sure that the process we have seen so far has stepped forward. I know the Government looks forward to working with her and seeing this important work step out in the best possible timeframe and that investment is made to ensure that the GPO will be an important part of our future as it was of our history.”
“I again thank the Senator for raising the matter. I hope I have reassured her that from a Government point of view, the GP will remain as a public-facing post office. The process under way is to enhance it to ensure we bring in more people and it becomes more central in the life of O'Connell Street and Dublin city centre than it has been in recent years. That work will be led by the Office of Public Works, OPW. The long-term ownership of it will come to the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, and we are engaging with the process to decide how that will happen. The OPW is leading the work. We want to see the post office aspect of the GPO become enhanced and attract more people, and become even more of an active part of O'Connell Street and Dublin city life.”
“Its membership includes representation from my own Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, Dublin City Council and others. There are several GPO steering group work streams operational at present. These include progressing property-related matters, the development of a non-statutory public consultation engagement process and the development of potential temporary meanwhile uses while the permanent redevelopment plans are being progressed.”
“The OPW is leading on the redevelopment of the GPO complex as outlined in the Department of the Taoiseach's interdepartmental group report and road map for delivery and previous Government commitments. It is anticipated that the future GPO complex will incorporate at least some or all of the following: the retention of a public post office function; high-quality offices on the upper floors to provide critical accommodation to meet ongoing or additional Government requirements; significant cultural use or uses; retail components within the existing retail footprint; significant public realm enhancements at street level to encourage public use of the GPO complex. A GPO steering group is in place since November 2024. This steering group is chaired by the Office of Public Works.”
“m of accommodation and remains in use by An Post under licence from the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, both as a public post office and for back-of-house operations. An Post back-of-house operations have largely decanted from the GPO complex to alternative office accommodation, but several hundred An Post workers remain operating from the GPO complex. In addition to the office and public post office, there are a number of retail premises in the existing GPO Arcade and on Henry Street. The Office of Public Works is engaged with the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport regarding the future transfer of ownership of the GPO complex.”
“With the publication of the Dublin city task force report, an interdepartmental group was established and mandated by Government to prepare a high-level Dublin city centre implementation plan setting out how recommendations are to be taken forward, including arrangements for tracking progress, oversight and governance arrangements, and to assess the multi-annual cost and policy implications of the recommendations at local and national level to inform future departmental prioritisation within the overall budgetary process and parameters, the national development plan allocation and overall Government policy. Arising from its deliberations the interdepartmental group developed a road map for delivery of the Dublin city task force recommendations which includes the redevelopment of the GPO. The GPO complex comprises more than 25,000 sq.”
“I thank Senator Fitzpatrick for raising this important matter and indeed for her leadership and advocacy on the redevelopment of the GPO in a way that will make sure it will play as strong a role in the next 100 to 200 years of this State as it has in our State's history up to this point. The Government established the task force in May 2024 to take a holistic view of the measures required to rejuvenate Dublin city centre, including O'Connell Street. The Dublin city task force took an evidence-informed approach in its work and published a report in October 2024, making recommendations, or Ten Big Moves, to improve the city centre's public realm, safety and experience. One measure identified in the Dublin city task force report was the redevelopment of the General Post Office.”
“We will continue to engage in the ongoing discussions at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg in order to reach a consensus among member states around a political declaration. We remain committed to maintaining and upholding the convention, including on the island of Ireland where it is a core safeguard of the Good Friday Agreement, and respecting the vital work of the court in its efforts to uphold fundamental rights and protections across Europe. I thank the Senator for raising this matter.”
“I will ask the Department to respond directly to Senator Stephenson on any plans it has to engage with IHREC in advance of the meeting and also on her query in regard to previous consultations. As the Government has made very clear, Ireland's support for the European Convention on Human Rights and the European Court of Human Rights is very strong. We see both as vital components of the European rule of law architecture. We are very conscious of the role the Council of Europe plays in promoting human rights. Human rights are at the heart of Ireland's national policy and respect for and promotion of human rights continue to be a cornerstone of our foreign policy. We also view the European Convention on Human Rights as being at the core of human rights protection in Europe.”
“The committee furthermore invited the CDDH to report back before 22 March 2026 to allow for the ministers' deputies to finalise the declaration to be submitted, together with other relevant documents, for adoption at the 135th session of the Committee of Ministers, which is to take place in Moldova on 14 and 15 May 2026. Ireland is following developments on this matter very carefully and is engaging constructively with other members of the Council of Europe, with a view to achieving a consensus around a political declaration fully consistent with and respectful of the convention, including the universality of human rights, the unqualified nature and non-derogable status of Article 3, and the independence of the court.”
“On foot of that conference, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, on 10 December, instructed the steering committee for human rights, CDDH, to prepare elements for a political declaration reaffirming the obligation to ensure the effective enjoyment of the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the European Convention on Human Rights to everyone within the jurisdiction of member states in the context of the contemporary challenges posed both by irregular migration and by the situation of foreigners convicted of serious offences, taking duly into account, in particular, governments’ fundamental responsibility to ensure national security and public safety.”
“An informal ministerial conference was held in Strasbourg on 10 December 2025 to address member states' concerns about ensuring a fair and effective migration system, while fully respecting the integrity of the European Convention on Human Rights.”
“Article 3 of the convention provides that "no one shall be subjected to torture or to inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment." This prohibition is absolute. It permits no derogation. Article 8, paragraph 1 of the convention provides that "everyone has the right to respect for his private and family life, his home and his correspondence". Article 8, paragraph 2 of the convention provides that: There shall be no interference by a public authority with the exercise of this right except such as is in accordance with the law and is necessary in a democratic society in the interests of national security, public safety or the economic well-being of the country, for the prevention of disorder or crime, for the protection of health or morals, or for the protection of the rights and freedoms of others.”
“The significance of the convention as a core safeguard of the Good Friday Agreement is well recognised by this Government and by the British Government and we are unwavering in our determination to maintain that protection. We remain committed to maintaining and upholding the convention, including on the island of Ireland, and respecting the vital work of the court in its efforts to uphold fundamental rights and protections across Europe. As the Senator will be aware, there have been growing concerns among member states of the Council of Europe about ensuring a fair and effective migration system while fully respecting the integrity of the ECHR. Senator Stephenson referred to two convention provisions that can arise in this context, namely articles 3 and 8.”
“I thank the Senator Stephenson for raising this matter, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade who is unavailable. At the outset, I want to underline Ireland's long-standing and continued support for the ECHR and the role of the European Court of Human Rights as essential elements of the architecture of the rule of law in Europe. As a founding member of the Council of Europe, Ireland fully supports the Council’s essential role in promoting human rights, democracy, and the rule of law across Europe. We continue to advocate for and fully respect the independence and integrity of the court, the maintaining and upholding of the convention and respect for the universality of human rights.”
“Sport Ireland recognises Athletics Ireland as the national governing body for athletics in Ireland and it is affiliated to World Athletics. Neither I nor Sport Ireland has a role in the establishment, change or application of the World Athletics regulations. It is clear from discussion on this over several years that a successful derogation request to World Athletics authorities would have to be driven by the athletic authorities in Ireland, in collaboration with their counterparts in the UK. Ultimately, I believe that a derogation from the current rule would confer additional flexibility of representation on the athletes concerned and I will continue to offer support to Athletics Ireland and to counterparts in other jurisdictions in support of this position.”
“While it would be my wish that athletes from all parts of Ireland should have the choice to represent the whole of Ireland at all major international competitions, as is the case at the Olympic Games, neither the Government nor Sport Ireland has a role in determining who can participate in international competitions organised by international sporting federations. International sporting federations are responsible for determining the composition of their membership, in line with their own internal rules. The international federations - in this case, World Athletics - have a leadership role for their global games, and it is at this level that strategic decisions are taken. Therefore, responsibility for any potential rule change in this regard rests with World Athletics, an independent autonomous organisation.”
“That is why we are working with Sport Ireland. We have commissioned this report and needs analysis so that we can identify where the strengths are and also work together to make sure that where things can be strengthened, we do that and support all of our sports to do so.”
“Referees are absolutely crucial for the participation of teams. They often find themselves in roles that are not as respected as they should be. In terms of providing a safe environment for adults, the role of referees has to be central in the report and to how we provide that environment in sport. Some sports have a much better ethos and culture than others. We have to work to get to a situation where that is uniform across the board in relation to referees. They have a very difficult role. It is one into which people put big commitment to step up to the mark and it is getting increasingly difficult to get people to do those roles. That has to be central to the respect and safe environment that they have as well. Whether in individual sports or team sports, we have to make sure that the environment is safe for them.”
“Regarding the development of our national sports policy for the next ten years, we as a Government and Department will take on board the learnings from the report to make sure we have factored them into the overall national sports policy and determine how we can support national governing bodies across the country to make sure the lessons from the report are incorporated into how we do business. From a funding point of view, we are always looking to make sure we back that sports policy, as we did the last one, and make sure it can be implemented. We will have to wait and see what is involved in the report. It is our objective to make sure we learn from it and that its findings are implemented.”
“I thank Deputy Moynihan. We have supported Sport Ireland in the development of this in the first instance. Sport Ireland provides governance and administration guidance for the sport sector, and the findings from the review will be factored into and incorporated into that. Obviously, there will be lessons and assessments from the report. It is key they are utilised in day-to-day practice. Sport Ireland will ensure that happens as part of its overall governance and administration guidance for the sport sector.”
“However, in recognition of the emerging requirement for action nationally and internationally, Sport Ireland recently commissioned Safe Sport International to conduct a needs analysis in the area of safe sport for adults. My Department continues to engage with it in that regard. Sport Ireland expects to receive a draft report from Safe Sport International in the coming weeks. It is anticipated this analysis, and recommendations arising from it, will be considered in the context of Sport Ireland's overall sports governance administration guidance for the sports sector and in the context of the development of the next ten-year national sports policy, a process I recently initiated.”
“I thank the Deputy for raising the matter. Everyone involved in sport, in any capacity, regardless of age, should be able to enjoy an experience that is free from any form of abuse. The creation of a culture that promotes the safety and welfare of all must be at the core of the operation of all sports, from national governing bodies right down to grassroots and fans and spectators. Sport Ireland is the statutory authority for the development of sport in Ireland and its statutory function with regard to safeguarding is to develop and disseminate guidelines and codes of practice promoting best practice for the protection of children in sport, consistent with child protection legislation. As a result, its traditional focus has been on the safeguarding of children, as outlined in the Sport Ireland Act 2015.”
“I thank Deputy Currie. We want to make sure the investment we are making through academies is used to the best effect possible. The FAI is working, with the guidance of Sport Ireland, to use its experience to ensure that system is structured in the best way. It is also working with premier and first division clubs to see how we can make sure there is good regional reach in terms of academies. Another development over the next couple of months is the development of a tier three for the League of Ireland, which is a welcome development. It will deepen and add to the league. I thank the Deputy for raising this issue and for her support and advocacy on behalf of the potential that is here. We look forward to working together to build and support the great momentum and growth we have seen.”
“It is something we want to support and see grow. We want the League of Ireland to grow to a strength we have never before seen.”
“I noticed that. The Deputy is ready for the matches ahead and will not have to buy anything new. We are all at one. We agree. It has been heartening and energising to see what has been happening at League of Ireland level. It feeds down to the grassroots and inspires young people. The wonderful thing about football is that people can play one-on-one or two against two. All that is needed is a couple of jumpers and a back garden or park for people to come together. It is a wonderful sport for participation. We want to see it grow and are committed to seeing people develop, whether it is Michael Noonan, Victor Ozhianvuna or Mason Melia, who I was glad to see score in the Brandywell not so long ago and do stuff with St. Pat's. That is what is happening across the country. It drives crowds coming to games and participation.”
“The report benchmarked Irish football academies against international standards, based on an audit of existing academy structures and needs, and provided a basis on which to commit to multi-annual funding support. One of the few benefits and dividends we have seen from Brexit has been our young players increasingly staying in the country. That has added wonderfully to the spectacle we are seeing in the League of Ireland. Of course, while players are, by and large, staying in the country until they are 18 years of age, we want to ensure that they have the pathways to excellence and to become the strongest and highest performing they can be in their careers. That is why we are investing, through the academies, in supporting those athletes.”
“I was pleased to announce a €3 million multi-annual allocation as part of the most recent budget to support the development of a modern and professional soccer academy system that will provide the structures and pathways required to support future generations of Irish players, male and female, and maximise the potential of Irish football. This is on foot of the programme for Government commitment to exploring new mechanisms for the creation of football academies. This builds on the additional funding of €1 million provided by my department to the FAI last year, which enabled it to produce a detailed report on the League of Ireland academies system. That funding also enabled the appointment by the FAI of an academies administrator to support the development of new academy programmes and to track their impact.”
“I propose to take Questions Nos. 142, 143, 159 and 179 together. I thank the Deputy for raising the matter. As she knows, the operation of the League of Ireland and its academies is driven by the Football Association of Ireland, which, like all governing bodies, works independently. It is like all the governing bodies that we, in the Government, want to support. I agree with the Deputy that it has been wonderful to see the growth of, and the momentum behind, the League of Ireland. It is great that every Friday night, if you cannot make it to a match, you can watch the round-up and the great product that is on offer. There is excitement and atmosphere at grounds around the country. That is continuing to grow. It is something the Government wants to support and back.”
“I could not agree more with the Deputy. Communities do not thrive if they do not have the sporting and community infrastructure. Increasingly, and more than ever, sport is central to having healthy communities. The project in Carrigaline is exactly the type of project we want to come forward across the country. I am certainly happy to meet those involved in relation to their plans the next time I am in Cork. I will also engage further with the Deputy in that regard. The Deputy made a point about planning. It is an issue on which we have been engaging with the Department of housing. Good planning does not just mean developing houses; it also means developing communities and sporting infrastructure. That is what we want to see as part of joined-up thinking about how we, as a Government, approach the issue.”
“That is a reflection of the types of projects that are now being delivered and that would have struggled to be viable in the absence of the LSSIF. I know there are many other projects that are seeking funding. I know that Deputy McGrath has plans and objectives for where he would like that funding to go. Our objective for the next couple of years is to drive on the current projects and ensure they happen. As I said, under the national development plan, we have committed to opening a new round in the latter half of the term of this Government for new applications to come in and see that important work on projects of scale are supported at a Government level and are delivered.”
“The LSSIF has been an important fund. The current national sports strategy, published in 2018, identified the need to establish a LSSIF at Government level. Outside the community sports facilities fund, there were many projects of scale that simply could not get the funding together to allow them to happen. That was a real gap in our national support network. We have had two rounds so far. The first was in 2019 and the second was in 2024. As I say, over 60 projects have been supported as a result and the Deputy has seen the fruits of that in his constituency with the Munster Rugby centre of excellence. I was glad, with the Minister, Deputy O'Donovan, to open a couple of weeks ago the new stand at the Dexcom Stadium of Connacht Rugby in Galway.”
“It will be towards the latter part of this Government's term when that new round opens. As I said, the specific timing of that will depend on the progress made with the existing fund and applications. For the next couple of years, our focus will be on ensuring those projects move. Some of them have been much slower than they should have been and we want them to be delivered before we move towards opening a new round for new applications to come forward. That is, we expect, two to three years away.”
“The key aims of the LSSIF are to increase active participation in sport and the quality of that participation, to increase the quantum and quality of social participation in sport, to improve high performance in sport and to increase active participation. I am pleased to confirm that nine LSSIF projects, including the redevelopments of St. Conleth's Stadium in Kildare and Dexcom Stadium in Galway, are complete. I joined the Deputy at the Munster Rugby centre of excellence in Cork, which is a wonderful facility that was strongly supported under this round of funding. I know from talking to him that day that the Deputy has plans and objectives for this fund, going forward. From the Government point of view, there will be one more round. The national development plan commits to that round.”
“I propose to take Questions Nos. 140 and 180 together. I thank the Deputy. The LSSIF was established, as the Deputy knows, to provide Exchequer support for larger sports facility projects and the cumulative investment since 2020 is €297 million across 68 projects. While the LSSIF is closed to applications at present, our focus is on ensuring that project delivery under the first two rounds of the LSSIF is followed through on. This process will inform any decisions regarding the timing of a future round, but I am committed to ensuring sustained investment in sports facilities to meet our ambitious goals for sports participation nationwide. The LSSIF focuses on larger initiatives, particularly those related to high-performance sport, major spectator events and community-accessible facilities.”
“Grass-based pitches have meant that many have not been able to participate over the past couple of months. That will be a challenge, going forward, that we will have to work to try to address through investment.”
“That is why it is really important that we invest and put a strong package together for the next round to back clubs in the context of the really exceptional work they are doing. I thank Deputy Shane Moynihan for the representations on behalf of clubs in his area. I agree with the point he made on the collaboration and synergies by local authorities, ETBs and schools with local clubs. That is something we want to encourage and promote as part of the next round. If we can develop facilities that can be used by schools and clubs, we will get an exceptional dividend from that investment. The Deputy's point about Astroturf and artificial pitches is more relevant than ever. They make exceptional use of limited space. We have seen, particularly with the weather we have had in the past couple of months, that the space can be used every week.”