T8. Dr Aiken asked the Minister for Communities to join him in welcoming the fact that Danielle Hill and the Wiffen boys, who are swimmers from the great Larne swimming team, have been selected for the Olympics. (AQT 418/22-27)

Again, that is not a difficult question to answer, especially when there is a constituency link. The Member will not be surprised to hear that I do not disagree with him. Of course, I absolutely want to congratulate them, and I look forward to seeing further success. In fact, I will be meeting them very soon.

Minister, one of the issues that we have with promoting excellence in swimming across Northern Ireland is the lack of facilities. We have had real difficulties in getting a 50-metre pool, which, for some particular reason, has been stuck in the permanently down position. Will you ask your officials to look at how we can ensure that, at least in Northern Ireland, we can have the facilities to support our Olympians?

I am grateful to the Member for his question, which highlights a number of issues. First, the need for us to make sure that we are investing in sport in Northern Ireland. We have already highlighted the importance of grassroots sport, and that needs to continue. We also have a responsibility to make sure that the appropriate facilities are there so that we can help our elite athletes. I am disappointed to hear that that continues to be an issue. It is not fair: not having the proper training facilities harms the potential of some of our athletes.

The Member has identified the need in swimming, but I have been informed of problems elsewhere, where the physical facilities have not been available or there has not been the coaching capacity to make the most of the potential of some of our athletes. He will be aware of the constrained budget position that we are operating in. However, there are always novel ways in which we can examine those issues. If the Member would like to discuss the matter further, I will be happy to do that, perhaps along with some of the other Members who have raised issues about facilities today.

If I have forgotten anybody who is competing at the Olympics, we wish them all the very best and look forward to many medals being brought home in the coming weeks.