The only difficulty is that the sum was not larger. If it were, then the taxpayer would not have been exposed, to the extent that we have been, to fund sporting projects up and down the country. I am chairman of my local soccer club. Therefore, I can say, without qualification, that the work that John Delaney and the FAI have done to benefit grassroots soccer and under age soccer is undisputed. The money that was obtained was verified and outlined in the financial statements and annual accounts in the years concerned. The attention that has been given to the matter is a diversionary tactic and is wrong. Instead, politicians here, the people of this country and the media should get behind the Irish team who will play an important game against Scotland next Saturday.

The Senator is way over time.

There are other political questions about money, which has been taken from the taxpayer and is in the IBRC, that the Government does not want to discuss. A view has been adopted to direct attention at John Delaney and the FAI in order to make him a scapegoat. That is a wrong thing to do.

The matter will be discussed later