I ask the Leader to convey the sentiments of the House which I like to think I reflect on the resignation of Billy Walsh who, up until yesterday, was employed as head coach of the Irish boxing team by the now discredited Irish Amateur Boxing Association, IABA. Perhaps the Leader might convey our compliments to the Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Michael Ring; the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport and the Taoiseach who have come out strongly in support of Mr. Walsh. His resignation is both a national scandal and a disgrace, particularly when one considers the proud record of Irish boxers under the leadership of Mr. Walsh and his team. We have now lost his expertise. As a small country, we can ill afford to lose his expertise to the United States, one of the largest countries in the world. It will be dreadful to see him wearing the stars and stripes of America and facing up to the green, white and gold of Ireland at the boxing championships at next year's Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. I ask the Leader, when conveying the shock and dissatisfaction all of us feel at the manner in which the IABA has handled this matter, to raise questions about the funding given to that organisation. I am not suggesting this funding should be withdrawn because such a move would affect boxers throughout the country, both those at elite level and individuals who box in local gyms. I refer, in particular, to youngsters who are starting out in their chosen sports career. This matter should afford the Government an opportunity to raise questions about the way in which the IABA has gone about its business in this matter. Even the Irish Sport Council, through its CEO, Mr. John Treacy, has expressed its exasperation with the failure of negotiations.

I am a member of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Transport and Communications which deals with sport and is due to meet tomorrow morning. This issue will almost certainly be raised at that meeting and I shall use the opportunity to call for the IABA or whomever has responsibility in this regard to be brought to account. We cannot afford to lose such expertise in any area of Irish life, particularly in view of the small size of the country. It is just not acceptable that we should lose this level of expertise in a sport which was under-represented for many years but which has proved to be one of our most successful areas of endeavour in recent times. That was the result of the structures put in place. Mr. Walsh has admitted that the structures predated him, but he continued with them. Now we are faced with a massive gulf in expertise owing to the loss of somebody who provided expertise, guidance and support for Irish boxers. The IABA should feel ashamed about what has happened. It should clarify matters and explain how it happened because we are in dark about what has occurred. With the exception of issuing a statement expressing hypocritical regret last evening, the IABA has remained silent. I commend to the House an article by Vincent Hogan, published in today's issue of the Irish Independent, which provides the background to how all of this happened.

I commiserate with my colleague, Senator Michael Comiskey, who did not make it onto the nomination list last week. I am genuinely sorry that he was unsuccessful, but I wish him well.

I appreciate that it does afford an opportunity to state that, irrespective of media comments at the weekend about political direction, Fianna Fáil will be seeking a mandate from the people for Deputy Micheál Martin as Taoiseach after the next general election.

The Senator has exceeded his time. In fairness, the leaders have each had three minutes and I hate to see second speakers taking four.