Minister downplays rumours of coalition tensions after information on sports grants leaks

This led to some Fine Gael MPs expressing anger at the information being leaked in advance, with some even saying it was a deliberate move by the candidates to promote themselves ahead of a possible election.

One angry Fine Gael source said Fianna Fáil would “want to keep their heads down”, while another said they should not have to abide by an embargo if others did not.

When asked about the trouble caused by the MPs who leaked the information, Mr Donohoe played down the matter.

He said that while he could not describe such behavior as constructive, all parties were working well together.

“The reason we are announcing a package of this magnitude is the cooperation of the three parties and the commitment I have made with all my colleagues.

“I think the package was received very positively by all Oireachtas members this morning,” said Donohoe.

Fine Gael MPs stressed that they welcomed the funding received and believed that investing in a variety of sports brings a range of benefits to the community and to people’s physical and mental wellbeing. However, they criticised the way information about the grants was disseminated.

The second phase of the Community Sport Facilities Fund (formerly Sports Capital and Equipment Programme) is the largest ever, with a volume of EUR 230 million.

A total of 1,996 grants were awarded for new and improved sports facilities and equipment in over 40 different sports.

Dublin will receive the largest share of the funding at €27.6 million, followed by Cork with €24.7 million – 233 projects will be funded in both counties during this phase.

Of the total of 230 million euros being offered, 97 million euros will go to the GAA, more than twice as much as football, which comes in second place with 41.4 million euros.

The smallest grant went to Lacrosse, where a project was granted a sum of 7,000 euros.

Introducing the funding, Sports Minister Thomas Byrne noted that the performance of Irish athletes over the summer had inspired many young people to take part in a variety of sports.

“The inspirational performance of the Irish team at the recent Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris demonstrated the positive power of sport and we know that every sporting journey begins in community,” he said.

Mr Byrne was unable to provide any update on the planned events, which will see Cork’s Páirc Uí Chaoimh serve as a venue for the 2028 European Championships.

“This is a decision that is taken at UEFA level. We have made our views known at that level through our officials and directly in my phone call with the FAI,” said Byrne.

“Our priority is to play as many games as possible on the island, but ultimately that is not a decision we make, it is made at UEFA level, but we are open for business and we want to do that.”