I am sure the Minister will join me in congratulating the Irish women's football team on qualifying last night for next year's World Cup. Five years ago, many of these women had to threaten strike action in order to get basic respect within the FAI. I put it to the Minister that Irish soccer and Irish women's soccer, in particular, has not got enough support or respect from Irish politics. A woman in Ireland cannot be a professional footballer. Young girls who dream of becoming professional footballers have to go to England; many of them are doing that.

Last year, the Government gave €95 million to the horse and greyhound fund. This is a direct fund paid for through a levy on betting. No other sport benefits from it. I suggest to the Minister, and I know the Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Deputy Chambers, is quite committed to Irish football, that we find pathways for young women to keep playing in Ireland and should not say to them that they have to go abroad in order to fulfil their footballing ambitions. We should build on the legacy of what was achieved last night for future generations of Irish footballing women.

I join with the Deputy in congratulating the Irish team, including Vera Pauw and goalscorer Amber Barrett. We could not but be touched by Ms Barrett's tribute and the way in which she dedicated her goal to the victims in Creeslough.

I attend underage girls' soccer matches every weekend because my daughters play. I know of the fantastic work that is being done at grassroots level. I assure the Deputy that the Government will support the FAI in all the efforts that are under way to strengthen the supports for girls' soccer in Ireland. That is specifically provided for within the memorandum of understanding the Department has with the FAI. I assure the Deputy of our continued commitment to that.