Sports funding and strategy
Senators reflect on Ireland’s sporting weekend and the Carrickmines and Garda tragedies; Senator Coghlan welcomes a 40% increase in sports funding and support for the national indoor arena.
Last week I made reference to a debate in the Seanad on the need for a sports strategy. I also alluded to the fact that the weekend would be bookended with the Irish soccer team playing against Germany in Dublin and the rugby team playing in the Rugby World Cup. We enjoyed the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat at both ends, but, sadly, the weekend was tainted by the catastrophic fire in Carrickmines, with the loss of ten lives, and the gunning down of Garda Anthony Golden. It really puts into perspective what life was all about. While we had sympathy for those affected in Carrickmines over the weekend, I was disappointed to see neighbours in the same area block the identified site to which some of those affected were to be moved. On the other hand, we saw a perpetrator and a murderer, the thug who was out on bail. This should not be happening in our society. Lives are at stake in rural Ireland and Ireland in general because of these thugs who are out on bail.
This weekend we face another weekend of exceptional sport. I wish the Irish rugby team the very best of luck in the quarter final against Argentina. It is appropriate to pay tribute to our great captain and leader Paul O'Connell whose international career was cut short by a catastrophic hamstring injury. He has made a phenomenal contribution to Irish life through his dedication to Ireland and leadership of the Irish team. When all 15 players step out onto the pitch in Cardiff at the weekend, his loss will be a source of inspiration for them.
We must not forget that tonight another Irish sportsman will be going for gold. We hope Michael Conlan will become the first Irishman to win a gold medal in the World Boxing Championships.
I will conclude by making some points on the budget. I understand budgets cannot please people all of the time. I realise that we have very short memories. If Senator Aideen Hayden could look back three, four, five or six years, where were we then?
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Senator Aideen Hayden might not be happy with the Senator’s comments.
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It is time to give credit where it is due. In that context, I give credit to the Government because it has increased funding for sport by 40%. This is up from the 2015 figure and will assist in the completion of the national indoor arena at Abbottstown. I say, "Well done," to the Government. It is time to give credit where it is due.