Sports Facilities
Dail Éireann — 2026-03-03
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Barry Heneghan (IND), Dublin Bay North

I appreciate that and I understand the remit the Minister of State's Department holds but I would love if he could chase up how the FAI allowed a grassroots facility serving thousands of young players I represent to be handed over to a club without committee approval. Why was one person allowed to execute the transfer of the site? What checks are in place to prevent this from happening? What role did the FAI play in facilitating a deal that removed community access for north Dublin children who are directly benefiting from this facility? Why was the site sold for a fraction of its value? I understand the Minister of State said he is bound by certain things but the Minister for sport must address these questions. What steps were taken to assess the community impact of this sale?
There are four clubs in the Kilmore, Coolock and Darndale areas. Children in these areas who want to play sport cannot do so because they do not have the facilities. I understand that work is being done by Dublin City Council, which I welcome, to improve all-weather pitches. Something needs to be done on this issue. It needs to be looked into. Will the FAI take responsibility for its role?

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-03-03/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-09-14T01:01:02+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-03-03