asked the Minister for Education if he will outline his policy for further strengthening the sporting ties with organisations in Northern Ireland.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - North-South Sporting Ties.
23.
My policy in this area is to encourage dialogue at all levels in order to identify sources of mutual interest and implement agreed schemes of cooperation. The strengthening of sporting ties was one of an agenda of items which I discussed with Lord Melchett when I visited Northern Ireland in December 1978.
In the current year I have set aside a sum of £22,000 to subsidise the expenses of youth and sport organisations whose members travel north to engage in sport activities outside their normal programmes. The question of a common "sport for all day" is also being examined, at my request, by COSPOIR and the Northern Ireland Sports Council and in addition links between the Ulster way and walking routes in Donegal have been agreed.
I have invited Lord Elton, the present Minister of State with responsibility for sport, to come to Dublin to discuss further initiatives with me in the near future.
Is there any activity towards encouraging schools in the Twenty-six Counties to contact their counterparts in Northern Ireland with a view to strengthening those ties? Has the Minister made any contact in regard to the provision of an all-Ireland soccer team? Has he had any contact in regard to the problems which exist in the GAA situation in Crossmaglen?
In respect of the schools proper, the Deputy will appreciate that I am responsible for dealing with out-of-school activities and my concentration to date has been on voluntary sporting and youth organisations. I accept that it could also be advisable that this co-operation should exist at school level and I shall have discussions on that matter with the Minister for Education. In respect of Crossmaglen, when I had discussions with Lord Melchett I indicated to him how unhappy I was with the circumstances obtaining in that area. He reminded me of the difficulties he would have in the matter in that his responsibility did not extend to security but he assured me that he would do anything possible to have the problem resolved.
Did the Minister make any contact in regard to the implementation of the idea of an all-Ireland soccer team?
No, but I can see that that is another area where initiative should be taken and when I return to my office I shall work on the suggestion made by the Deputy.
I should first like to welcome the promise in relation to the Ulster way with which I was associated originally. When will the actual linking take place and will it require expenditure on either side of the Border and, if so, by whom? Does the Minister consider that the Ulster way should be extended to other parts of the Border apart from Donegal and if so when it might be extended?
I would be happy to be party to any extension of any link that exists which would afford the opportunity of bringing people from all parts of Ireland together. There is no specific sum set aside but moneys will be made available for any proposal coming before me which can be demonstrated to be for the benefit of young people or not so young people in these parts of the country.
Did the Minister not say that these proposals had been agreed?
They are agreed.
Surely they are then before him?
I thought the Deputy was talking about the extension to matters other than those agreed on.
In relation to the ones that are agreed?
Money is available.
When will it be expended?
At the first moment it is required.
Is it required at present?
Arrangements are being made for its expenditure and the important thing is that it is there.
This year?
Yes.
Question No. 24 has gone for written reply.