Vol. 1087 No. 3
62. Deputy Joanna Byrne asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport in view of Ministers' comments that they will not attend the Ireland v Israel Nations League fixtures, if he will call for a boycott of these fixtures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43392/26]
66. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to report on his engagements with an organisation (details supplied) in relation to the upcoming Nations’ League fixtures with Israel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44836/26]
67. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the level of engagement he has had with an organisation (details supplied) and other relevant agencies in relation to safety and security arrangements for the upcoming Ireland v Israel match in Dublin; whether he is satisfied that all necessary measures are in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44321/26]
The Minister of State will appreciate these questions were submitted before the recess and before the Government's shameful response to the two Private Members' motions on the Ireland and Israel fixtures this week. In spite of that, a response is warranted from the Minister of State to the Irish football community and Irish footballers as to why it is okay for him and the Minister, Deputy O'Donovan, to publicly state they will not attend these fixtures, yet they will shoulder that burden onto our footballers and ask them to choose between what is right and wrong, and lining out for their country and playing the game they love.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 62, 66 and 67 together.
At the outset, I believe the Minister has been in touch to indicate he is unavoidably unable to be here this morning. I am taking all the questions this morning for that reason.
I thank the Deputy for her question. As she indicated, this is an issue that has received very strong consideration and debate in the House, particularly over the course of this past week. As I outlined in those debates, from the point of view of the Government, it has been providing leadership on what is happening in Palestine and the unacceptable actions of the Israeli Government on many occasions, which has led to many innocent lives lost and so much destruction, as well as genocidal behaviour in the prosecution of the war in Palestine. The Irish Government has led out internationally on addressing this and has been at the forefront of forming international opinion, whether that is the recognition of the State of Palestine, ensuring that UNRWA is fully supported and has its funding increased, or in the legal sphere in joining the South African legal case in the European Court of Justice regarding the genocidal behaviour by Israel in Palestine.
However, when it comes to the sporting situation, while the Government runs the country and sets our political policy, it is a well-established principle internationally that sporting organisations and federations are responsible for the conduct of sport. In this regard, it is UEFA at a European level and FIFA at a world level that decide and make policy decisions on whether teams and countries participate in competition. Obviously, we recognise the difficult position the FAI is in here with regard to the draw and having two games to participate in, but it has to work within the UEFA structures. After its AGM last November, the FAI brought a motion to UEFA seeking to have Israel excluded from international competition. It received very little support from other footballing nations on this and it now has to work within the UEFA rules. It has now indicated and made the decision to fulfil those two fixtures. This is a matter for the FAI to decide and the Government fully respects that. It is not appropriate for the Government to interfere here.
We debated motions on this over the past two days, the content of which would ultimately mean Irish athletes would not participate in international sports competitions in which Israel is also participating. For example, this would ultimately mean we would not be in a position to have any athletes participating in the next LA Olympics. Again, that is a matter for sporting bodies to decide upon. We as a Government will continue to give very strong leadership internationally in the political sense, but it is up to each sporting federation to make their own call, and the FAI has done so with the two fixtures it is programmed to play at the end of September and start of October.
I am delighted the Minister of State has learned a new word since Tuesday night-Wednesday morning. In the response which the Minister of State, Deputy McConalogue, gave to me on Tuesday night and which was carbon-copied by the Minister of State, Deputy Dooley, on Wednesday morning, the word "genocide" never featured at all. It is great that he has learned that word in the past two days. Even though he has now acknowledged there is a genocide and obviously understands what a genocide is, he still cannot grasp the magnitude of what this means to the Irish footballing community. They do not want this match to proceed. They do not want to normalise sports-washing.
Ireland playing Israel normalises a genocidal regime and gives cover for statute violations, for apartheid and for war crimes. In standing up and saying he will not attend these fixtures all he is doing is putting that pressure and that burden on our footballers. Inevitably, if this goes ahead, our footballers will have to make a conscious choice individually or collectively as a team as whether they should fulfil this fixture and it is not fair. The Minister of State had an opportunity this week to empower the FAI and to support the FAI. So, I do not buy all this back tapping for the FAI. The Minister of State had an opportunity to stand with the FAI, to stand with Irish football and to stand with our Irish football team but he chose not to. Shame on him.
I totally refute that. Internationally we, as a country, have led out. We have called out the genocidal activity that Israel has prosecuted in Palestine. We have led internationally in pushing for stronger sanctions to reflect the unacceptable behaviour of Israel and we will continue to do so.
You did not do so this week.
Just last week the occupied territories Bill was approved by Cabinet and will be brought through the Houses between now and the summer. Let us be clear. The Deputy is suggesting that the Government should get involved in deciding not just for the FAI but for all sporting organisations what competitions they should and should not participate in. The point that she is focusing on most of all is the Israel game coming up. However, she supports and did so again here last night that for all sports where Israel is participating, including for example the next Los Angeles Olympics, Irish athletes should not compete. That is what she is proposing. That would mean the Government getting involved in an unprecedented way in relation to the conduct of all sports and indeed preventing us from being able to participate in the Olympics for example. If other governments across the world took a similar approach to sport, sport simply would not be able to be conducted because of it always being mired in politics. Whatever the merits or otherwise might be, sport simply would not be able to be conducted across the world.
History, including his own party’s history, is lost on the Minister of State. There is a precedent in this State of us taking a stand when it comes to sport. It is wrong for him to stand there and tell me that it is unprecedented. That is factually incorrect. He is a Fianna Fáil Member and he should know this. He should talk to his previous Taoiseach. There is absolutely no justification for it. What he is saying this morning, what he said on Tuesday night and the script he handed to his colleague to say to Deputy Gibney on Wednesday morning is absolutely shameful and there is no justification for it. I think deep down he knows that because otherwise he would not have sat at the Oireachtas Joint Committee on sport to say he would not attend these fixtures but yet he expects our national team to line out and attend them. It is shocking and absolutely shameful. He is going down the wrong side of history on this.
It would be unprecedented to follow through on what the Deputy and Members of the Opposition are proposing, which is not participating in international sporting competitions, including not participating in the next Olympic Games as a country.
The Minister of State is deflecting-----
I am not.
----- from the stop-the-game question that I specifically put to him on Tuesday night.
Deputy Byrne, allow the Minister of State to answer, please.
I am addressing the issue and addressing proposals that are coming from the Opposition, including all the logical outworkings of what the Deputy is proposing. It would be unprecedented and would have the Government getting involved in an unprecedented way in dictating what should happen in relation to sport.
It is taking a stand through sport.
We will continue to lead out politically at European level as we have done here.
What about morally?
As I have said on a number of occasions, there is a real difference between what happened with Russia where there was unity at an EU political level to apply sanctions and also where both UEFA and FIFA banned Russia from participating in their competitions. That has not happened either at political level - there is not a consensus there - in relation to Israel or on the sporting side from UEFA or FIFA.
I call Deputy Pádraig O’Sullivan. He is aware that the questions were grouped and his Question No. 67 is part of that group.
I wish to ask specifically about the operational side of things in preparation for potentially playing this match in Dublin. What level of engagement has the FAI had with relevant agencies, including Dublin City Council and An Garda Síochána over the past number of weeks in anticipation of this match? Are there any security concerns if the match were to be hosted here? What risks have been highlighted? What steps are being taken to mitigate those risks if the match were to be held? I will not get into a debate with the Minister of State about the merits of playing the match; we had a vote on that last night. However, I am interested in the preparations that have been made if the game were to be played here. We need to understand any risks highlighted by An Garda Síochána and Dublin City Council. I wish to find out about the level of engagement, the number of meetings and the content of those meetings.
The FAI has been engaging domestically with the Garda in relation to the policing of the event. It has also been engaging internationally with other football associations. For example, it has engaged with the Norwegian Football Association, which hosted a match against Israel in Oslo in November, to learn from its experience and to see how the FAI can apply any learnings in relation to the operation of that match. We have had a number of conversations with the FAI where it updated us on the steps it is taking as well but it is always on the basis that this is a matter for the FAI to deal with and a decision for it. I know from reports in recent days that it is considering whether the match be played in Dublin or elsewhere. Again, that is a matter for the FAI to decide on. We respect the responsibility and role it has as a football association and as the national governing body to make that call.
I refer to an article in The Irish Times from two days ago which stated that the association’s board continues to meet to discuss the operational aspects of hosting the home fixture but that there are ongoing discussions. That is fine. It is still discussing potentially hosting the game here albeit as the Minister of State has referenced, it is very likely that the game will be held elsewhere if it is held at all. If the FAI is having meetings to discuss operational aspects of hosting it still, has the Minister of State had any briefing from the FAI, An Garda Síochána or Dublin City Council about the risks, what it would cost, the additional security and any of that type of detail in relation to upcoming fixture?
The Department of sport has not been involved in the operational details or discussions, which are matters for the FAI to deal with along with the appropriate authorities. It has had ongoing engagement with the Garda. I know the Garda has indicated to the FAI that it is willing to police the game but they continue to engage. I have no doubt the FAI has been engaging with Dublin City Council. We have not been party to those discussions. Obviously, this is a matter for the FAI to decide upon in relation to participating in the game and also as to where it would take place having had consultations particularly with the Garda authorities and Dublin City Council. It is entirely a matter for the FAI and not one of the Department of sport has been involved in.
63. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport whether his Department has engaged with other relevant Departments to close the governance gap which exists regarding codes of practice for live events; whether his Department is in favour of codes of practice for live events falling under a single Department or body; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44878/26]
I am following up today on the codes of practice for live events which I raised as a topic with the Minister, Deputy O’Donovan, in March. I received correspondence which clearly shows confusion between Departments as to who is responsible for the codes of practice for live events. Will the Department support an effort alongside other Departments to close the governance gap and give organisers clarity?
The Department has responsibility for policy and various funding streams that support the development of the live music sector. The Department, both through its own schemes as well as its funding of the Arts Council, provides a range of support to organisations that play essential roles in the development of live music events across the country. However, the Minister has no general responsibility for live events which extends beyond concerts and sport events. The codes of practice in relation to live events fall within the remit of a number of different bodies and Departments.
There are a number of key pieces of legislation, none of which fall under the remit of this Department, that are applicable to events. Part 16 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, which deals primarily with the licensing of large-scale outdoor events, is a matter for the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The licensing of events is a matter for local authorities under the licensing of outdoor events regulations, which were most recently amended under the Planning and Development Act 2000. In addition, the events industry is a matter for the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Deputy Burke, and the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005. Associated regulations are a matter for the Health and Safety Authority.
Of course, the Department will continue to support the live music sector through policy and various funding streams. Ultimately, as I have stated, the codes of practice for live events or music events do not fall under the remit of the Department.
It is incredibly helpful that the Minister of State read that response because anyone listening is going to hear how complex this is. It is complex for me when I am trying to find information from parliamentary questions. We keep getting batted around. We cannot identify the right agency with responsibility for this. Once again, will the Minister of State do some work to clarify this?
Events are experiencing difficulty because different, inconsistent approaches are being taken depending on the local authority and the style of the event in question, be it a music, sporting or community event. There is simply no definition as to what a live event is. It seems clear to me that the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport is the Department that should have primary responsibility for this. Will the Minister of State work with those other Departments to help people who are trying to navigate this? In many cases, they are dealing with this level of complexity on top of already being underfunded and under-resourced. Often, the teams trying to navigate this work on a voluntary basis. They then end up dealing with additional expense and health and safety issues. Will the Minister of State take responsibility and work with his Cabinet colleagues on this? I ask him and the Department to take a lead on resolving this.
This is something that the night-time economy task force considered. It made recommendations that clear processes and procedures should be consistently applied across local authorities to assist festival and event organisers and ensure safe attendance at community group events of fewer than 5,000 people. The Department has been engaging with the Local Government Management Agency, LGMA, and the County and City Management Association, CCMA, which are leading on this action within the night-time economy task force, to examine ways to standardise the approach to event planning and streamline a system for festival organisers and event planners. Some local authorities, such as Fingal County Council, have developed guidance and templates to assist event organisers. I understand these have also been introduced across other local authority areas.
The night-time economy implementation group is continuing to work in partnership with the Department of justice, An Garda Síochána, the HSE and the Department of Health to ensure that we support the ongoing safety and innovative measures across all night-time economy activities, including outdoor festivals. It is something that has been addressed and discussed within the night-time economy task force. Work is continuing on its implementation.
The night-time economy task force is under the remit of the Minister of State’s Department. Is that correct?
The Minister of State rattled off even more agencies, which only adds to the complexity people are navigating. Will he, or the Minister, Deputy O’Donovan, commit to meet us so that we can thrash this out a little? We have been working with stakeholders in this space, such as the live events association. The Irish Music Rights Organisation, IMRO, has a big interest in this as well.
It is not just about the impact on organisations, however. Our young people have had community supports withdrawn. Movements like Give Us The Night are fighting for the entertainment sector to be preserved as a result of the growing cost of living. Many communities find themselves without places to meet, congregate or have joint experiences. That has a real isolating effect and means that vital sources of culture, entertainment and community are simply vanishing. With the decline of pubs and clubs, including the closure of The Complex in Dublin, we have seen that the hands-off approach does not work. I am keen to work on this, get clarity for these stakeholders and help them navigate what is a complex system that means they are falling between multiple stools. I would appreciate a commitment from the Minister of State that he will engage to deal with this effectively.
As a Government and Department, we should always be open to assessing and discussing the challenges that are there, as well as listening to any ideas people have. As I said, the night-time economy task force considered and made recommendations in this regard. I am happy to ask officials to engage further with the Deputy around any proposals she might have and to consider the matter further. It is important that we always keep these matters under review. Where there are challenges and further discussion needed, that should happen. Certainly, I will ask for that engagement with the Deputy.
64. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport cén plean atá ag a Roinn agus ag na hInstitiúidí Náisiúnta Cultúir chun comóradh agus ceiliúradh a dhéanamh ar 100 bliain ó tugadh aitheantas oifigiúil don Ghaeltacht den chéad uair. [43393/26]
Cad atá beartaithe ag an Stát, an Roinn agus na hinstitiúidí náisiúnta cultúir chun comóradh agus ceiliúradh a dhéanamh ar 100 bliain ó tugadh aitheantas oifigiúil don Ghaeltacht?
Ar iarratas ó mo Roinn, d’eagraigh An Chartlann Náisiúnta - foras a thagann faoi scáth na Roinne - taispeántas den chéad scoth anuraidh, An Ghaeilge agus Daonáireamh na Gaeltachta 1925. Bhí an taispeántas le feiceáil i gceanncheathrú nua mo Roinne agus ag an gcomórtas treabhdóireachta, the ploughing championship, i mí Mheán Fómhair seo caite. Cuireadh béim sa taispeántas ar an nasc idir cúrsaí teanga, polasaí agus féiniúlachta ó bhlianta tosaigh an Stáit go dtí an lá atá inniu ann. Léiríodh, trí cháipéisí cartlainne, na hiarrachtaí chun an Ghaeilge a chosaint agus a athneartú, ag tosú le daonáireamh na Gaeltachta i 1925 agus obair Choimisiún na Gaeltachta.
Cé nach eol dom aon taispeántas eile in institiúidí náisiúnta cultúrtha i mbliana, tá mo Roinn ag tacú le tionscnamh Chomhairle Contae na Gaillimhe, Croí na Gaeltachta: Guthanna an Phobail, 1926. Déanfar iniúchadh mar chuid den tionscnamh seo ar thaithí shóisialta, cultúrtha agus stairiúil phobail Ghaeltachta Chonamara le linn bhlianta tosaigh an Stáit. Beidh clár cónaithe d'ealaíontóirí ann agus glacfaidh pobail áitiúla páirt i ngníomhaíochtaí ag tarraingt ar scéalta, nósanna áitiúla agus an teanga. Tá sé mar aidhm go gcruthófar saothar nua ealaíne a léireoidh teacht aniar, cruthaitheacht agus féiniúlacht na bpobal Gaeltachta.
I mí Dheireadh Fómhair, reáchtálfar clár mar chuid d'fhéile ealaíon-----
Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit.
Bunaíodh Coimisiún na Gaeltachta in 1925 chun daonáireamh a dhéanamh orthu siúd a raibh Gaeilge acu timpeall na tíre. Rinne An Garda Síochána an census sin. Tháinig a lán eolais as. Bunaithe air sin, leagadh amach na ceantair ar ghá cosaint a dhéanamh orthu agus tacaíocht bhreise a thabhairt dóibh le déanamh cinnte go gcosnófaí an tseoid náisiúnta a bhíodh timpeall na gceantar sin, is í sin, an Ghaeilge agus an cultúr Gaelach agus Gaeltachta. Bhí 82 moladh ag an gcoimisiún. In 1928, bhí díospóireacht sa Dáil faoi. I dtuairisc uachtarán an choimisiúin, dúirt sé, “Our language has been waylaid, beaten and robbed, and left for dead by the wayside”. Dúirt an Teachta Dála, Proinsias Ó Fathaigh, le linn na díospóireachta sin, “A patient in such dire straits needs special care and attention, needs nursing and special remedies.” Níl na remedies sin ag tarlú go fóill. Tá géarchás fós ó thaobh na teanga de sa Ghaeltacht.
Obviously, it is an historic moment to be 100 years on since the Gaeltacht was first officially recognised. The Deputy is asking what the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport in particular is doing to commemorate this. Across government, all Departments are going to have to consider and appropriately recognise this. Regarding my Department, last year, at the National Archives of Ireland we had an exhibition, The Irish Language and the 1925 Census of the Gaeltacht. I also outlined how the Department is supporting Galway County Council’s initiative, croí na Gaeltachta, community voices 1926. This October, Donegal County Council’s Wainfest, which is an arts and book festival, will include a programme aimed at primary school children with a particular emphasis on the Irish language and the Gaeltacht. Those are some of the steps that my Department is taking. Obviously, across government, it is important we commemorate this important moment of being 100 years on from the official recognition of the Gaeltacht.
Ag an am a rinneadh an daonáireamh, is An Garda Síochána, mar a dúirt mé, a rinne an daonáireamh. Bhí na Gaeilgeoirí á gcomhaireamh timpeall na gcontaetha acu. Ag an am céanna, bhí siad ag comhaireamh cé mhéad bó agus caora a bhí ag daoine. Those who spoke Irish in what are now Gaeltacht areas were equated with sheep and cattle, which were also being recorded by the commission and the census by An Garda Síochána at the time. Ag an stad seo, ceapann daoine fós go bhfuil an Ghaeilge agus an Ghaeltacht i mbaol agus is léir sin ó na fadhbanna atá ann. Cad atáimid chun a dhéanamh? Cad iad na céimeanna? Ní comóradh agus céimeanna amháin atá ann, cad iad na céimeanna breise ar gá a dhéanamh chun a chinntiú, i gceann 100 bliain eile go mbeidh an Ghaeltacht fós beo beathach? Sin an cheist mhór seachas díreach comóradh agus ceiliúradh.
I have outlined the steps we are taking from a departmental point of view. It has been wonderful in recent years to see the renaissance of the Irish language and the particular focus on the spoken language. It is lamentable how so many of us have come through our education system and have such a poor grasp of speaking Irish. Unfortunately, I include myself in that, even though I come from a county - although I live a good distance from a Gaeltacht area - that has such a proud tradition and has kept the Irish language alive.
It is important we recognise how the Gaeltacht has progressed in the 100 years since its establishment and, in particular, take learnings from it. As we go forward, we have to try to ensure the Irish language is built upon. The momentum behind the language in recent times has been energising and from a Government point of view, it is important that we support that. The Deputy asked how our Department in particular is recognising that 100 years on from the establishment of the Gaeltacht. It is important we play a role in that, as we do across government. Most important is supporting growth again so that more and more people across the country can speak our native language fluently.
65. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if consideration has been given to the establishment of an independent governance authority for local sports and athletics clubs to oversee committee conduct, ensure compliance with governance standards, provide independent dispute resolution mechanisms and support transparency and accountability in club administration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43961/26]
Has consideration been given to the establishment of an independent governance authority for sporting and volunteer organisations to oversee committee conduct, ensure compliance with governance standards, provide independent dispute resolution mechanisms and support transparency and accountability in organisational administration? I have been asking this question for a while and I seem to be pushed from one agency to another without being able to get a clear answer.
National governing bodies of sport, NGBs, which represent over 13,000 sports clubs throughout the country, are independent, autonomous organisations which are responsible for governance of their sports at national, local and other levels, including disciplinary and complaints processes. Sport Ireland, as Ireland's sports development agency, works with NGBs to ensure that appropriate governance and safeguarding policies are put in place, as well as mechanisms to handle complaints or issues when they arise. This work is underpinned by Sport Ireland's governance code for sport, compliance with which is a condition of funding for NGBs.
While I am always open to exploring policy initiatives that could improve the operation of the Irish sports ecosystem, I consider that establishing a separate statutory governance authority for NGBs is not required and could have unintended negative consequences. For example, it could undermine NGB operational autonomy, alienate volunteer-led club networks, create bureaucratic duplication or trigger jurisdictional conflicts within existing international sports federations. Moving the disciplinary and dispute resolution processes of NGBs to a stand-alone governance authority could also lead to significant additional costs for the sector.
The safeguarding of everyone at all levels of sport, regardless of age, is a shared responsibility. In August 2023, a new national code of conduct template for sporting organisations was launched by Sport Ireland. The code sets out guidelines and principles promoting the behaviours and conduct expected from athletes, coaches, parents and guardians, supporters, referees, officials and all club members. All NGBs are expected to use this template code of conduct as an opportunity to review their existing policies and procedures for handling code breaches to ensure a safe and respectful environment for all involved in Irish sport. Leadership is being provided through Sport Ireland and the national governing bodies. To take that away from the NGBs entirely and have a separate body would have repercussions and undermine those NGBs. I am open to having further discussion on what is an important point. It is something we should consider fully.
I thank the Minister of State for his response. I have come across a case in a volunteer-led organisation where a member raised serious issues through the appropriate channels. The organisation's committee stated that the matter had been investigated. However, it subsequently emerged that no thorough investigation had taken place. Most concerning of all, the party who made the complaint was not engaged in the process. When the complainant sought to escalate the matter to the NGB, they were informed that NGBs do not have the governance oversight of individual committees. There appears to be a significant accountability gap. In some cases, committee members can become embedded in positions of authority and act as though they are beyond scrutiny. No committee should be permitted to operate as though it owns the club or disregard the concerns of members without oversight. These organisations are in receipt of public money and membership fees but little governance or accountability seems to be attached to that.
This is an issue that requires careful consideration. To a significant extent, we have to empower NGBs and their membership to have good codes of governance and conduct within their organisations to deal with issues that arise. We would have to carefully consider any step that would bring that into a State body. It would have significant unintended consequences.
We are reviewing our national sport policy and there will be a public consultation over the coming months. It is important that all issues are considered in discussions on developing that policy and that it is thoroughly thought out. The Federation of Irish Sport, which is an independent organisation and works with our national governing bodies, offers a dispute resolution service for NGBs that have not been able to resolve a dispute within their organisation. That is an important service. To put it on a statutory basis would be a different kettle of fish altogether.
It is good to hear about empowering NGBs and I accept that care and consideration are needed on this matter. Volunteer organisations play a vital role in our communities, but with that role comes responsibility to uphold good governance, transparency and accountability. I urge the Minister of State to bring forward those measures that he just mentioned and further measures, where they are needed, to ensure that members have access to an independent avenue of appeal when local governance processes fail.
I have since received a number of further disclosures from clubs and volunteer organisations concerning the conduct of committee members and the treatment of fee-paying members. Regrettably, a recurring response seems to be that those who disagree with the organisation's policies are encouraged to leave, when these policies could be causing significant distress to members of these organisations. It is deeply concerning that this situation arises. It poses serious questions about accountability and governance within these organisations. Who ensures that complaints are treated fairly, transparently and in accordance with the basic principles of natural justice?
Sport Ireland is always available to work with national governing bodies in respect of their governance and how they run themselves. In 2023, it set in place the governance code for sport. It also launched the national code of conduct template, which NGBs are encouraged to adopt to make sure the structures and policies they have in place, and within which their membership, oversight bodies and committees have to operate, work. As I said, the Federation of Irish Sport also has a disputes resolution facility in place.
We have seen massive evolution and development in sporting governance and organisation over the last generation. The development and establishment of Sport Ireland over 20 years ago and bringing our national governing bodies underneath it was a massive step forward, one which has been very productive and enhanced sport nationally. The funding we have provided has added to that.
Where one puts the line and how one empowers NGBs is an important issue, one that we have to keep under review and consistently learn from. It is important that, in as far as possible, it is the members who deal with issues, with good conduct, governance and codes to guide them.
Question No. 66 was grouped with Questions Nos. 62 and 67. With the permission of Members, we will go back and take a question from Deputy Coppinger on Question No. 66.
Apologies, I did not realise my question was grouped.
It was, but go ahead with your question, Deputy.
I have heard the Minister of State say that sport and politics are separate. I thought that was quite amusing since he is a political representative in charge of sport, so obviously they are not separate. The Government, including the Tánaiste recently, has said it has no role whatsoever in the Irish team playing against Israel in the two upcoming fixtures and it is solely up to the FAI. I do not know if the Minister of State received a letter from a legal firm but he will receive one because he does have a role, as does the Government, under many laws and because the FAI is publicly funded and we have signed the Genocide Convention. Deputy McConalogue is the Minister of State with overarching responsibility for sport. The FAI receives €6 million per annum and is a public body under genocide laws, the European Convention of Human Rights and the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act.
I thank Deputy Coppinger. I have not personally received a legal letter. There was correspondence to our Department. That legal letter was actually addressed to the previous Cabinet Minister, Catherine Martin, but it has been assessed and considered by the Department. As I have said in this House on numerous occasions this week, this is an issue that, from a footballing perspective, is one for the FAI to work on within the structures it has within UEFA and FIFA. It has been proactive within UEFA in bringing a motion seeking to have Israel excluded from competitions. Unlike what happened with Russia, where UEFA and FIFA banned Russia from participating in competitions, the FAI got very little support within UEFA whenever it brought that motion forward. The FAI then had a decision to make as to whether it will fulfil those games and it has decided and has been very clear that it intends to do so.
From a political point of view, the Government will continue to lead out in the international arena, particularly in the European scene, on addressing Israel's behaviour and the absolutely unacceptable conduct we saw in the war, the unacceptable loss of innocent lives and genocidal behaviour. We will continue to do that. Between now and the summer, we will bring forward an occupied territories Bill in the Dáil to be passed by the Oireachtas as the latest step in providing that leadership and example internationally.
I keep hearing the Minister of State say "we will continue to do". What has the Government actually done? I know it has talked but here is the chance to actually do something. For example, under the ruling of the International Court of Justice, which this Government has signed up to, all states are obliged not to recognise Israel's illegal acts. Only this week, two Palestinian women footballers were kidnapped. We know ten clubs play in occupied Palestinian territories. We know Israel has killed 1,000 athletes. What more does the Government want? We know it is very afraid of the American multinationals but surely the Government could do something on this. It has failed to act. The staff and players have a legal right to freedom of expression. I will keep the pressure on the Government to underwrite any potential losses the FAI might endure. It is very clear, however, that the FAI has huge legal grounds because UEFA is breaching its own statutes and legislation. There is no way the FAI would face fines.
What the Deputy has been supporting and proposing in the House this week is not just related to the match, which obviously has dominated the discussion and debates. What she has been supporting and advocating is that all Irish athletes across all sports should not participate in any competitions internationally in which Israel is also participating. That basically means that while the illegal occupation of the occupied territories continues, Ireland would not participate in any sports anywhere. It would not just apply to the match at the end of September but to all sports. It means we would not be sending a team to the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 2028 unless the occupied territories are unoccupied by that point in time. That is what the Opposition is advocating for. It does not just relate to the match. It is the logical extension of saying the match should not go ahead. We have been clear, from a Government point of view, that it is not through closing down all sport that we take a stance and show leadership politically. It is by doing what we have been doing internationally, which we have been very much to the forefront of.
My position is not that Irish athletes should have to take a decision not to participate. Israel should be kicked out of all sporting competitions, in the same way Russia was. Does the Minister of State agree with Russia being banned? I would like an answer to that question. Failing the authorities taking action, because they are hugely corrupt, players and athletes may have to take a decision, and they should take a decision. I would prefer if they took it as a collective, and I think they will. We already had Séamus Coleman say the other night that it should not be down to the players, it should be down to the governing bodies and the Government, but the players do know what is right and wrong. They should not be put in that position, however. They should have the full support of their governing body and the State.
The women's football team showed this in 2017 when they went on strike. If the Minister of State recalls, they refused to play against Czechia, which was a World Cup qualifier. They wore jerseys with "respect" written on them because they were facing discrimination in the way they were being treated. The Spanish women's football team refused to play until Rubiales was kicked out, so it can be done. Pressure can be put on to force change.
I absolutely agree with the sanctions against Russia, which have been implemented with unity across the EU and have been replicated at a sporting level by FIFA and UEFA, excluding Russia from competitions.
That was four years ago.
We as a country have worked to try to get strong sanctions against Israel for its behaviours over the last period of time. At European level, we are seeking the suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. To be clear about what Deputy Coppinger is saying, rather than Ireland continuing to lead out politically at international level, as we have done, and which we will do again in passing the occupied territories Bill in this House, the Deputy is saying that all of our athletes across all sports should stop participating in all competitions. That is what is being asked by the Opposition in this House this week and it is what the Government voted down. That is not the way for this country to do its work politically. It is a matter for each sporting organisation, within its federation, to decide its own participation and it is a matter for the governing bodies to have that exclusive option and decision.
We are asking the Government to act.
