Mark Wall (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I congratulate Senator Kyne and wish him the very best of luck in his new role in the remaining term of the Seanad. I wish Senator O'Hara well in the upcoming election.

Yesterday, I chaired much of the debate on surrogacy in this country. I congratulate all those who took part in it, particularly Senator Seery Kearney, who is with us this morning and who did considerable work on surrogacy. I was contacted last night by so many families who are so happy with the outcome of the debate on the Bill yesterday. I congratulate all those involved.

The issue I wish to raise today is the large-scale sports infrastructure fund, LSSIF. I received correspondence yesterday from my local authority, Kildare County Council, stating it was not putting forward the Maynooth swimming pool project but instead putting forward the Sallins amenity lands project.I wish the people of Sallins all of the very best. I am sure my colleague, Senator Martin, will be supporting them in every way he can. There are great people in Sallins. The project being put forward by Kildare County Council consists of two GAA pitches, two natural grass soccer pitches and multiple other sports facilities for the people of Sallins. The reason I am raising this issue today, however, is that will be the only project put forward by Kildare County Council. I have raised previously in this House the need for sports infrastructure in this country and I want to raise the urgent need for sports infrastructure in my county of Kildare.

In my home town of Athy, we have 13 acres which the council has earmarked. It is putting together a Part 8 application for sports facilities because of the lack of facilities. I have mention Athy Camogie Club once again, which does not have its own facility. I brought this up with the Minister for sport but it does not just concern Athy. Castledermot GAA, Monasterevin AFC, Kildare Town AFC and all the sports clubs in Newbridge are all crying out for additional playing facilities.

This is a huge crisis in many of our large towns throughout the State. I am sure the Deputy Leader has come across it in his own area. We have built houses, which are very welcome, but, unfortunately, the infrastructure is not there. Many sports clubs are struggling, particularly with regard to ladies' sports, and they cannot accommodate ladies' sports teams, which is totally wrong in this day and age. The facilities they need, be it dressing rooms or additional playing facilities, need to be provided by the Government and, indeed, the local authorities. I proposed previously that each local authority should provide additional sports funds in any town with a population of over 5,000 people. The Government needs to look at this also. It is unbelievable that we are only supporting one such project in County Kildare. Best wishes to the people in Sallins but all of those other lovely towns in Kildare South need additional playing facilities, and they need them now. They cannot afford to wait until next year when the next round of funding comes out. I hope the Government and, indeed, the Minister for sport recognise that. I believe both Ministers for sport have been down to Sallins and recognise the need there but they must start recognising the need of every other town in Kildare South.