I want to raise the issue of live RTE coverage of the upcoming Special Olympics national finals in Limerick. The games will be held between 12 and 15 June, featuring 1,500 athletes competing in 14 sports competitions, with over 3,000 volunteers and thousands of family members and supporters. The national finals are the culmination of four years of local and regional competitions which include one in every three of our people with an intellectual disability participating. This will be one of the biggest, if not the largest, sports event in the country this year. I have made numerous representations to officials in RTE as I believe we have an ideal opportunity to showcase the wonderful hard work of these athletes and their volunteers who have been training tirelessly for several years for their events. There is not one Member who does not remember the incredible coverage of the 2003 world games which Ireland hosted. I have been informed by RTE this week that live broadcasting is very expensive and that it will not be in a position to provide it over the course of the games due to a lack of resources. It has assured me it will report on the games on news bulletins. However, this will not have the same impact as live coverage. I have written to the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Pat Rabbitte, and encourage the Leader and colleagues to raise the issue with him, too.

It might more suitable as an Adjournment matter.

The country will be missing out on this fantastic opportunity. This is also an ideal time for a debate on the Special Olympics to show our appreciation of the athletes and volunteers. I ask my colleagues to support me in calling on RTE to provide live coverage of the national games.