Speech

Speech by Minister O'Donoghue at the
Launch of Phase 2 of the Development
Cratloe G.A.A. Club Development, Clare

Ladies and Gentlemen, I am delighted to be here today to launch phase 2 of the new sports hall development here at Cratloe Gaelic Football Club.

As you know, Cratloe G.A.A. is in existence since 1887 and since then the club has gone from strength to strength. I understand that the population of the parish of Cratloe has seen tremendous growth in recent years and with this growth there is a demand for high standard sports facilities. This new sports hall, when complete, will offer the people of Cratloe facilities, which are second to none. I know that the facilities here accommodate many other groups including the Cratloe Community Games and the local National School. This sharing of facilities and helping others out is to be commended.

This Government is fully committed to providing for sustained investment in sport. I was delighted to recently announce an annual budget of €243m for sport for 2006, compared to €17m in 1997. This level of investment is in recognition of the value of sport in fostering a sense of community and identity in different areas throughout the country. The Sports Capital Programme, which is administered by my Department, plays a pivotal role in this regard. The Programme allocates National Lottery funding towards the provision of sports facilities at national, regional and local level and is the primary vehicle for promoting the development of sports and recreational facilities in Ireland.

As Minister for Sport, one of the more enjoyable tasks is to get out and see first hand some of the tremendous projects which have been made possible through the Programme. Under the Sports Capital Programme, Cratloe GAA has been allocated grants totalling over €300,000 for the development of phase 1 under the 2002 and 2004 Sports Capital Programmes and I am happy to confirm that Cratloe GAA have been allocated a further €60,000 under the 2006 Sports Capital Programme towards the completion of the sports hall.

Since 1998, my Department has allocated almost €448.56m to 5,630 sports projects throughout the country under the Programme with €9m being allocated to County Clare in that time. Under the 2006 Sports Capital Programme, 28 applications were received from Clare and of these I am happy to announce that 19 organisations were successful in being allocated grants under the Programme. I will also be announcing further allocations in the coming weeks for the national, regional and multipurpose projects throughout the country.

As you know, a sports club has a wider social influence in that it imparts positive values to the young people of the club. A club like this provides its members with valuable opportunities to develop their social and leadership skills, even if their sporting success is never formally recorded. I think that everyone will agree that any young man or woman who participates in the life of the club to the best of their ability share a part of the credit for the sporting success of the club.

Sport not only leaves people with wonderful memories, but can also create lifelong friendships and it has a very special place in the life of all Irish people. This would not be the case were it not for the extraordinary commitment and total dedication of so many people, particularly those voluntary workers who have devoted themselves to sporting organisations. Every sporting organisation in Ireland relies heavily on the contribution of such volunteers. I particularly commend all the members of the committee of this club, especially Eileen Murphy, John Ryan and Sean Murphy who worked tirelessly for the benefit of all young and old alike. Without your unstinting efforts and your willingness to give of your time, this development would never have got off the ground.

The untimely death of Michael Murphy, while hurling with the under 21's Cratloe team, was a very sad milestone in the history of the Club. I understand that it was decided to provide this multi-purpose sports hall here as a fitting memory of his tragically short life. All I can say is that it is an admirable monument to him and I want to wish you all the very best for the future. Thank you.