I would like to add to Senator Paschal Mooney's comments because my phone has been ringing off the hook in the past number few days about the resignation, if I may call it that, of the great Billy Walsh. My response has been that there is nothing I can do. They have said, "Well you are a Senator; you should be able to raise the issue and do something about it." Last week we referred to the amateur boxers who were competing in the world championships and wished them well. I congratulate the Irish Amateur Boxing Association, not because our boxers won gold, silver and bronze medals but on the "shamamateurism" of the organisation. There is public outcry as a result of Mr. Walsh's resignation. I can understand the support he is getting from the public because he has proved to be one of the most successful coaches in the history of Irish sport.

Like all things, we destroy them.

His biggest problem was that he became too successful. I certainly know that one is never regarded as a prophet in one's own land. I got to know Mr. Walsh at the Olympic Games in Seoul in 1988. In the years since I have found him to be a very humble, proud and brilliant leader in the sports community. He is the ultimate professional. He leaves no stone unturned in his preparations. His high-performance structures in Ireland are the envy of the rest of the world. He has gained trust among the boxers and that is very hard to do. He has gained the trust of the Irish Sports Council during the years and, in particular, the trust of the fans. He does not have an ego. He allows his results to dictate. The biggest problem is that he hurt the ego of the green blazers. He became too big in their eyes and they had to take him down and wear him out.

As taxpayers, we have funded the IABA to the tune of many millions of euro in the past eight, nine or ten years. Why did we do this? While the money was well spent, it was because we produced world, Olympic and European champions. It was also because we had a high-performance coach in Mr. Walsh who was not even given the opportunity to be called the high-performance director - something he wanted. He wanted to bring his team around, but those in the IABA would do it. Like Senator Paschal Mooney, I question the systems in place in the IABA. It does not want to give Mr. Walsh the power. It does not want to give the Irish Sports Council the opportunity to dictate terms to it; therefore, it is time to review and question the funding of and the IABA's ability. There is an old motto, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it". The IABA's motto is, "If it ain't broken, let's break it". Yesterday was a sad day. It was the biggest fight Mr. Walsh had to face and, sadly, it was against his own organisation. I wish him well because the IABA drained him and forced him to throw in the towel. I know that when he goes to the United States, he will be welcomed with open arms, revered and respected, but I also know that at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro next year, if there is an American fighting against an Irish boxer, his heart and soul will be with that Irishman or Irishwoman.