asked the Minister for Health if his recent pronouncement that the Government look upon the work of the N.A.C.A. (I) as of tremendous importance, which is vital for the good and prosperity of the nation, is to be taken as an indication that proposals for legislation to make money available for the development of athletics are now to be introduced; and, if so, whether he will state the amount it is proposed to be made available.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Development of Athletics.
The statement to which the Deputy refers gave no indication that it was intended to introduce legislation with a view to making money available for the development of athletics and so far as I am aware no such action is contemplated.
The Deputy will, I am sure, agree that it does not follow that, because a voluntary organisation such as the N.A.C.A. (I), is carrying on work which is of considerable national value and importance, it is necessary or desirable that its activities should, as a matter of course, be subsidised from public funds.
Am I to understand then that it is not the intention of the Government to allocate any money for the development of athletics? I want to assure the Minister that the reverse was considered to be the import of his remarks at the congress recently.
I do not think that it is reasonable that that implication should have been drawn from my remarks. No question of subsidy was mentioned and there was no question of increased allocation of funds or any allocation of funds—that was not mentioned at all. I think it is an unreasonable implication to take from my speech. On the matter of providing money for athletics, if proposals are put forward they will be considered and, I think, sympathetically considered.