asked the Minister for Education if he will outline the circumstances under which the special committee examining the requirements of a national sports centre came to be constituted so as to contain no person living north of a line joining the cities of Limerick and Dublin; and, given this situation, if he will state the steps he proposes to take so as to safeguard the rights of interested parties living north of that line in regard to the location and content of such a centre.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - National Sports Centre Committee.
17.
(Dún Laoghaire): The members of the committee appointed to examine the requirements of a national sports centre were chosen on the basis of their interest in and commitment to sport, their professional backgrounds and also having regard to their expertise to recommend the provision of facilities which would best serve the Irish community. I am confident that this committee will provide recommendations which will have regard to all sectors of the community throughout the country.
Would the Minister of State agree that he did not address himself to part of the question put down by Deputy Brennan, that is, that there was no person on the committee north of a line joining the cities of Limerick and Dublin? Would he agree that in the interests of national balance, if nothing else, it would have been appropriate and very possible to find people of excellent calibre in the areas of sport who might have been appointed to that committee?
(Dún Laoghaire): I am sure the calibre and professionalism of the committee members would preclude any subjective local loyalties swaying their deliberations. I repeat that those who were selected were selected on the basis of their interest in and commitment to sport and their professional backgrounds. I would hate to think that, in examining the facilities required, any of us would put local interests before the overall good. I am quite happy that those serving on the committee are people with a background that any country would be proud to have serving on a committee. The fact that they are from one part of the country or the other should not make the slightest difference. The question of where or how this sports centre or other facilities will be located will be a matter to be discussed later on. It is not for this committee to decide on that. They are there to decide on what facilities we should have. The question of location will be taken into account when we are considering the timing and allocation of funds for these facilities.
I would like it to go on the record of this House that I am satisfied that the members who have served on this committee, irrespective of where they come from have done so for the best interests of the country and not to project any local interest. The fact that there was no one from north of a line from Limerick to Dublin should not exclude that part of the country from getting the necessary facilities.
Could I ask the Minister of State if he will agree that it is not necessarily a case of putting excellence above local loyalties but rather excellence could be used from all around the country and a more balanced perspective could be obtained in that way?
(Dún Laoghaire): I would not accept that. I do not know where the members of the committee originated from. The fact that people may be working in Dublin or Cork does not say they are from Dublin or Cork. For all I know they could be from Sligo, Mayo, Donegal, Cavan, Monaghan or anywhere else. The fact that they are located in one place does not necessarily mean they are going to push the case of that area.