The Federation of Irish Sport, which represents 76 national governing bodies including the Irish Sailing Association countrywide, has launched its Manifesto for Irish Sport setting out a 5 Point Plan for the next Government if Ireland is to deliver on its sporting potential. The launch, which took place in the Royal Irish Academy, Dublin 2, saw various speakers from across the sporting world, led by Federation President Bernard Brogan, urge all public representatives to recognise the importance of investing in sport.

In its Manifesto for Irish Sport, the Federation is calling for action on the following five points:

1. Development of a National Sport Strategy. The creation and implementation of a sports strategy would ensure joined-up thinking across Government departments and agencies in terms of sport's economic, social and health benefits. This should include ring-fenced funding for sport and the appointment of a sports "tsar" who would have overall responsibility for bringing stakeholders together, securing commitments and delivering on objectives.

2. Restoration of Sport Funding. There has been a 26 per cent reduction in funding levels for sport since 2008, from €57.2 million to €42.5 million in 20151. If Irish sport is to compete on the international stage, as well as increase participation and retention levels, funding levels must be restored to where they were before the country's economic collapse.

3. Extension of Tax Reliefs. It's time for sport to have a level playing field with other areas of the not-for-profit sector. While donors to sporting bodies can take advantage of tax reliefs for capital funding, this amounts to a fraction of the costs incurred by sporting organisations, and it is only fair that tax relief currently afforded to charities on minimum €250 donations in any year—which can apply to both current and capital spend—should also apply to sports bodies. This was a recommendation of the Commission on Taxation in 20092 and would bring Ireland into line with its international competitors such as the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia.

4. Provision of Two Hours' Mandatory PE Each Week. All the indicators point to an obesity epidemic in this country, yet according to the last research conducted, only ten per cent of post-primary students are meeting the minimum Department of Education & Skills' recommendation of two hours sport and physical activity in secondary schools each week3. Not only would making this a mandatory requirement greatly assist in enhancing the health and well-being of our young people, but it also has the potential to create a new generation of sporting leaders.

5. Leveraging Ireland's Sport Host Credentials. Ireland, with its state-of-the-art sporting facilities and venues, excellent transport links, track record of successfully hosting major international sports events and the "can do" and welcoming attitude of its people, has the potential to tap into a €450 billion sports tourism market4. The Federation strongly advocates the setting up of a national sports event bidding agency which would compete head-on with other countries in attracting significant international sporting events to our shores. We only have to look to Denmark, where a joint venture between sport and government—Sport Event Denmark—now sees the Danes win four out of every five sports bids5.

Bernard Brogan, President of the Federation of Irish Sport, is calling on all political parties to recognise the value of sport and to pledge support for its Manifesto for Irish Sport.
"Sport is a key part of what defines us and brings us together as communities, as counties, as provinces and as a country. When we play on the international stage, and the Irish flag is raised or the national anthem played, our sense of national pride and what we are capable of, soars. With just a little effort on behalf of Government in setting out a vision and strategy for where we want sport to go in this country, linked with the required resources and ongoing monitoring, we could do so much better. I urge all political parties and candidates to sign up to the commitments contained in our Manifesto for Irish Sport. Why should we as a country settle for second best—we must be in a position to compete, and to compete to win."
Mark Balcar, Director of Sports Think Tank in the UK, points to the development of a new Strategy for Sport in the UK that reflects current social, financial, attitudinal and technological realities, and that involves virtually every Government department. It has as key aims the importance of recognising the value of sport, of maximising participation and of creating a truly active nation—and he believes a similar approach could deliver significantly for Ireland:
"The power of sport is undeniable: sport can achieve a wide range of social, cultural and economic benefits for society. Our research in England, shows overwhelmingly that the sport sector wants strong Government leadership and a long-term sports strategy that joins up the many different interests within Government. This is crucial if the sport sector is to maximise the potential of sport to help deliver in critical areas of public policy, for everyone in society."
Newly-appointed chief executive of the Federation of Irish Sport, James Galvin, believes that with the right support, sport has the potential to pay a wide range of dividends:
"Sport supports 40,000 jobs in Ireland6, adds an extra €1.9 billion in household spending7 and over €1 billion in tourism receipts8. We know that 2.5 million people participate in sport every week here9 and that regular participation is the equivalent of being 14 years younger10. We undoubtedly have a great love of sport in this country and we should capitalise on this passion. By restoring funding levels, by playing fair in terms of tax reliefs, and by creating a dedicated sports event bidding agency, we can become real contenders. Why shouldn't we host major sporting events such as the European Cross-Country Championships or the IPC Swimming World Championships in Ireland? Let's at least give ourselves a sporting chance."

#waterski – Among the highlights made in today's Federation of Irish Sport annual review is a report that participation in water-skiing and wakeboarding increased from 3,000 to 8,500 at a time when many other water based sports, such as sailing, face a decline in numbers.

The Federation has called on the Government to make some beneficial New Year sporting resolutions to extend the tax relief for sporting bodies beyond capital projects to include day-to-day spending, as well as to allocate a portion of betting tax receipts for the development of all sports and not just horse and greyhound racing as is the case currently. The calls were made as the Federation, the representative association for National Governing Bodies of Sport, published its Sixth Annual Review of Irish Sport, highlighting the huge sporting contribution Ireland's National Governing Bodies and Local Sports Partnerships have made to Irish life during 2014.

The Federation strongly believes that the measures put forward, in addition to the development of a cross-government National Sports Strategy, would serve to significantly enhance the sustainability of sporting activities in Ireland and to copper-fasten the contribution sport makes to community life, public health, the economy, and to Ireland's reputation at home and abroad.

Brogan Calls for New Funding Initiatives
While welcoming recent Government commitments in relation to the funding of sport, Bernard Brogan, President of the Federation of Irish Sport and Dublin GAA star, is urging a number of new funding initiatives that would future-proof its viability:
"It is clear that sustained Government investment in Irish Sport is paying off with 47.2 per cent of Irish people now participating in sport1, up from 30.8 per cent in 20082. The increase in participation rates has been reflected in the success of Irish athletes on the international stage—across all sports at all levels—with Irish athletes having so far won a total of 241 medals between 2011 and 20143, compared with just 65 medals from 2007 to 20104.

"However, while it is welcome that the level of funding for the Irish Sports Council has been maintained at €42.5 million and an additional €1 million has been allocated for preparations for the Rio Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2016—and we acknowledge the efforts of Ministers Donohoe and Ring in this regard—this is from a point where there has been a 27 per cent reduction in funding levels since 2008. It is clear that more can be done to sustain the sector in supporting people's health and well-being, in enhancing our social fabric and in growing our economy. That is why the Federation is today calling on the Government to give serious consideration to affording tax relief to the day-to-day spending of sporting bodies, beyond capital spending as pertains now, as well as including all sports—and not just horse and greyhound racing—in the allocation of development funding from betting taxes."

Need for National Sports Strategy
Sarah O'Connor, Chief Executive, Federation of Irish Sport, believes a masterplan for sport is critical for its future development:
"Irish sport supports 40,000 jobs in the economy5, contributes 2.4 per cent to GDP6 and stimulates €1.9 billion in household spending7 and €650 million in overseas tourism spending8. It is the single biggest contributor to active citizenship with almost 500,000 adults volunteering in sport each year9, with the economic value of this voluntary workforce estimated at €1.3 billion10. Almost nine in ten Irish people believe that sport has a positive impact on the country's reputation11. It also has a huge effect in combating the significant public health challenges posed by obesity with 89 per cent of highly active people more likely to report both their weight and diet as healthy12.

"Sport plays such a huge part in the development of our society and we need to maximise its true potential for everyone's benefit. It is only when there is an All-of-Government commitment and approach to sport that its rich and varied dividend can be maximised. That's why sport needs new and strategic thinking and this can best be achieved through the development of a cross-Government National Sports Strategy."

2014 Federation Key Sporting Highlights
The role of Ireland's National Governing Bodies and Local Sports Partnerships are critical to the future of sport and the Federation's Annual Review sets out just some of the returns that these organisations have made on the Government monies invested in them. Among the 2014 achievements were:

National and International Sporting Achievements
· Rory McIIroy won the British Open and United States PGA golf championships

· 30 medals were won by Irish boxers in European competitions in 2014 in addition to Katie Taylor's fifth World Championship Title

· Ireland's Women's Rugby Team become the first Irish team to beat the All Blacks while the men secured the RBS 6 Nations Title for only the second time

· The Football Association of Ireland secured the Euro 2020 Championship matches for Dublin

· 1,500 athletes took part in the Special Olympics World Games, supported by 3,000 volunteers

· The Golfing Union of Ireland and the Irish Ladies Golfing Union won their bid to host the International Golf Federation's World Amateur Team Championships to be staged in Carton House, Co. Kildare, in 2018, which will see more than 500 golfers compete from 80 countries

· 20,000 United States visitors attended the Croke Park Classic between the University of Central Florida and Penn State generating €30 million for the Irish economy

Sporting Body Achievements
· Athletics Ireland's female-to-male membership ratio is now 55:45 following the success of its Fit4Life initiative targeting female participation

· Badminton Ireland's Shuttle Time initiative resulted in 50,000 children now playing badminton in schools while, separately, 32 new badminton clubs were established

· Swim Ireland's inaugural Swim for a Mile event saw 1,200 people take part

· Triathlon Ireland's races during 2014 saw 50,000 participants get involved

· Cycling Ireland's membership increased by 21 per cent

· The Irish Wheelchair Association's sport programmes saw a 10 per cent increase in participation rates

· Canoe Ireland's International Liffey Descent was a great success with 800 participants taking part, including many visitors from overseas

· The GAA's Féile na nGael and Féile na nÓg festivals saw 15,000 children take part in 977 games over two weekends

· A record 1,100 women took part in the Ladies Gaelic Football's Annual Gaelic4Mothers Blitz

· 1,800 students from 127 teams took part in eight Student Sport Ireland leagues

Community Initiative Achievements
· 2,500 cyclists took part in Cork Sports Partnership's Rebel Tour

· 1,620 children took part in Fingal Sport Partnership's Primary School Athletics Final

· 3,000 people took part in Kerry Sport Partnership's Let's Get Kerry Walking

· 2,300 children took part in the University of Limerick's Sports Kids Run for Fun

· 400 women took part in Monaghan Sport Partnership's try an activity programme for those over 50

· The Tour of Sligo cycle race generated €450,000 for the local economy

· 500,000 people took part in recreational ice skating

· Participation in water-skiing and wakeboarding increased from 3,000 to 8,500

The Annual Review is available at www.irishsport.ie