It is always a pleasure to talk about sports in the Seanad. I mention world leaders. Perhaps we might look at Ireland as being a world leader in sports tourism. Today I received a number of text messages from people asking, "Who is this guy?"

It is always great to see someone come out of the blue. They were referring to young Paul Dunne who grew up in Greystones, went to school in Blackrock College and the University of Alabama. I did not know anything about him prior to this past week, but I have a great deal of pride in him. I think of Pádraig Harrington as well as Rory McIlroy, Graeme McDowell, Darren Clarke and Paul McGinley. Golf is really an exceptional sport, making Ireland a leader. Many years ago, the Golfing Union of Ireland received funding from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport for its scholarship programme. The academy in Maynooth has helped to produce all of these great lads. People might ask how this boy, Paul Dunne, is going to do in the final round this afternoon, but it is not his first time playing in the British Open. He played in it last year and just failed to make the cut. Having finished fifth in the National Collegiate Athletic Association, NCAA, he is going to do things. Golf and other sports are very important for tourism. These players are ambassadors when they represent Ireland which is priceless public relations for the country. When I was at the Irish Open in Northern Ireland this year, I got into conversation with some of the leading promoters of golf in the world. They said it would be fantastic if the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and the Government were to really consider the golfing package, promote it and get seriously involved in promoting and putting more money into the Irish Open. Players such as Rory McIlroy, Graeme McDowell and this young lad, Paul Dunne, are huge attractions for the country and can bring in thousands of tourists, as well as attract great publicity for the country. I read John Greene’s column in yesterday’s edition of the Sunday Independent. He usually has his finger on the pulse when it comes to talking about sport and what governments should do. Last week I mentioned €800,000 going into the National Sports Campus development. Only 8% of that overall budget went to sport. It is time to go back ten years, increase the funding for sport and give our sportspeople an opportunity to lead us on the world scene. Let us hope an Irishman wins the Claret Jug this afternoon.