I move:
That Seanad Éireann calls on the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism to seek an immediate meeting with the IRFU in order to discuss the future development of rugby and to explore avenues which will guarantee the continuation of professional football in Connacht.
I am aware that a similar motion has been placed on the Order Paper by Fianna Fáil Members. There is a degree of support from all parties for this matter and it is important that we debate it in the House. Last week more than 2,500 people attended a public demonstration in Dublin. There are those in the House who believe it means nothing, is a matter of no importance and should not be debated. I disagree. Substantial numbers came to the capital city to demonstrate on an issue important to them and the people they represent in their region. If that cannot be debated, articulated and ventilated in this or the other House, it is a travesty of democracy. I contend that the motion before the House in the names of my colleagues and supported by others on all sides of the House is in order, that it is right that we should reflect the views of those who took to the streets of Dublin for that protest, and that we ensure the debate is monitored in the House.
This is an issue of public concern. The State, through the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism, gives public funding to the Irish Rugby Football Union. It is only right and proper that it be monitored to ensure the public receives value for money and also that there is a level of responsibility within the IRFU as to how that money is allocated. Latest reports suggest the Government is considering the development of a national stadium with the IRFU and the Football Association of Ireland. It is, therefore, appropriate at this stage to put these questions to the IRFU through the Government, which will respond to the debate in due course.
It is right, as we ventilate public anger on this issue in the debate, that we remember that rugby football and its development is important to the country. The IRFU has probably done more than many organisations on a 32 county, four province basis to ensure all strands of opinion on the island are adequately reflected. That is one of the great strengths of rugby in this country. It is a 32 county game, which is a proud tradition. It reflects all four provinces. That is the reason it is unacceptable that professional rugby in Connacht would be discarded, jettisoned and put to one side and the reason we are debating this matter and using this opportunity to send a strong message to the IRFU before a final decision is taken on the matter.
I must declare an interest. For my education I was sent west to Garbally College, Ballinasloe. I have the unique distinction of having a Connacht branch junior cup medal, not as a player but as a substitute for the final. The management took the correct decision to ensure I would not get near the pitch for the semi-final and final. I remember the importance of my school to Connacht rugby and the development of the game within the province.
It is important that we look on this issue as one that affects rugby throughout the country. I know rugby supporters throughout Ireland have given full support to the Connacht branch and the position it and the supporters of Connacht rugby within the province have taken. This is an issue, of which the bureaucrats and bigwigs who manage rugby in this country will have to take cognisance and remember before a final decision is taken.
It has been suggested that this is a matter of money and that the IRFU must engage in a cost-cutting exercise over the next two years to ensure its accounts are brought back to a healthy financial position. While that is a matter for the union and not the House, it would be wrong for the union to think it can put Connacht rugby to one side. Its budget – about €1.8 million – represents a small fraction of the overall budget and is puny compared with the amounts given to the other three provinces, Munster, Leinster and Ulster. I understand that, on average, they receive about €3.8 million each from the union. The level of financial strain Connacht imposes on the union cannot be compared with other provinces.
The professionalisation of rugby has helped the game, especially in Connacht because, for the first time, we see regular interprovincials and European tournament games on television. The advancement of rugby on TG4 has been of great benefit to the sport and those who believe in its promotion. This is an issue on which politicians should be able to comment given that substantial sums are invested in TG4 to prop it up. We have a right to make our views known. A key part of that programming is the Connacht, Leinster, Munster and Ulster games seen regularly on television. One cannot simply disengage one of the four provinces at the stroke of a pen because one is involved in a cost-cutting exercise. One cannot have a Connacht branch without a Connacht team. That is the position the vast majority of rugby supporters throughout the country hold.
Some years ago when the game went professional the Connacht branch, with other branches, reached an agreement with the IRFU at senior management level that it would meet a number of standards required in the professional era. A regular ten to 12 players on the Connacht team are home grown and do not come from outside the province. That is a startling statistic when compared with the other provinces, many of which have a greater dependency on players from outside. Many of the Connacht players have come up through the system. A huge benefit of professionalisation has been the significant investment in youth rugby and a number of those players have come through to senior level. I understand ten of the 40 players on the youth squad come from Connacht. In my day, no more than six or seven schools were involved in Connacht rugby, whereas 12 competed at senior cup level last year. That is a major advance.
The IRFU has often said not enough people attend Connacht matches. Per head of population, a much greater number of people attend matches involving Connacht than attend matches involving the three other provinces. European Cup matches on Friday evenings at Donnybrook have been particularly successful, with 6,000 to 7,000 spectators coming to see Leinster play. On equivalence, this should mean that approximately 2,000 people should attend Connacht matches. However, between 3,000 and 4,000 regularly attend games involving the province. On a per head of population basis, Connacht has managed to play its part.
If the Irish Rugby Football Union makes this decision against the wisdom of people who love the game throughout the country, against the wisdom of people in Connacht and against sports fans everywhere, it will signal the end of that organisation and the end of rugby in this country. That is why the unanimous position taken on all sides of the House will send a strong signal to the Government to intervene and ensure the public's view is respected and the right decision is reached.