Video: Ireland’s Sports Stars on government funding

Irish Sportsstars Paul O’Connell, Lar Corbett and Katie Taylor talk about the importance of Government funding in the development of Irish sport.

Irish sport has once again united in making a submission to Government highlighting the vital role played by Government funding in the development of Irish sport. In a submission made on behalf of everyone involved in Irish sport, the national sporting organisations pointed out the damage that will be done to sport in Ireland if Government was to make drastic cuts in the current funding of sport in this country.

Their clear message was that major cuts made today will set Irish sport back for decades to come. Last year, a total of €49.6 million in taxpayer’s money was invested in the development of all Irish sport.

Joining in making the submission are the GAA, FAI, IRFU, GUI, Olympic Council of Ireland, the Paralympics Council, Special Olympics Ireland and the Federation of Irish Sports (FIS) which represents the governing body of 68 sports in Ireland. All of the sports represented by the FIS have given full backing to the submission.

The submission to Government was presented to the Minister for Sport, Ms Mary Hanafin on Thursday, 18 November by a delegation of sportsmen and sportswomen. Representing Ireland’s sporting community were Paul O’Connell (Rugby), Lar Corbett (Hurling), Katie Taylor (Boxing), Stephen Rice (Soccer), Andrew Bree (Swimming), Claire O’Connor (Camogie), Garrett Culliton (Paralympics) and Robert Deegan (Special Olympics).

The submission document to Government fully acknowledges the difficult economic climate and the challenges for Government in where to invest taxpayer’s money in the next budget. It does make the point, however, that the money invested in sport works at many different levels and has impacts for everyone whether that be in terms of health, the economy, tourism or the very fabric of the community in Ireland.