12ú Aibrean 2002

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What a Waste!

Finglas Sinn Fein Councillor Dessie Ellis has condemned the decision of the FF/PD government to refuse funding for improving sporting facilities in Johnstown Park, Finglas. Tolka Rovers and other sporting clubs had applied for E500,000 to build changing rooms and showers and improve drainage, playing surfaces etc and tighten security in the Park.

``It is disgraceful that the government can waste E1,000 million on an unnecessary elitist ``Campus'' in Abbotstown and another E3 million on the ridiculous ``Spire'' in O'Connell St. Yet, local sports clubs are having to struggle for finance to provide useful and constructive activities for our young people.

In the same vein, the Fianna Fáil Finance Minister has chosen to reduce the amount of funds available for public services like health, housing and education, by giving more tax-breaks to already well-off sports professionals. Meanwhile, nothing is being done to help amateur players, who could do with the cash, or the numerous voluntary workers who look after teams and arrange badly-needed sporting and recreational activities, which saves the government millions of Euros by improving people's health and reducing crime.''

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