Some years ago, Maynooth, County Kildare was scheduled to have a brand new swimming pool and various contributions were raised between the local authority, the local community and St. Patrick's College, Maynooth. Recently, I heard voices in the long grass to the extent that the proposal was not as warm as it had been in the past. The town has a population of 20,000 with approximately 20,000 students as well, and it is growing rapidly. I have been told that a swimming pool there would be in competition with Lucan, but Lucan is miles away and has its own catchment area and its own necessity for a swimming pool because it also has a big population. Will the Taoiseach bear in mind and use his good offices to ensure that where there is a population of that nature and that importance in a vital, pivotal and growing area that it would receive favourable consideration?

I thank the Deputy very much for raising the important issue of the need for a swimming pool in Maynooth. I will certainly raise the matter with the Minister of State with responsibility for sport, Deputy Thomas Byrne, and ask that he and I would revert directly to the Deputy.

I thank the Taoiseach.