The participation of women in sport is an important element of the National Sports Policy 2018-2027; it is a core priority for me and my Department and there is simply no place for abuse of any kind in sport.
There should be zero tolerance for any actions that endanger welfare, whether for players, coaches or those who work for and support sports across the country, male or female.
Sport Ireland, as the authority tasked with the development of sport in Ireland, works with the National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGBs) to ensure that appropriate safeguarding and athlete welfare policies are put in place, as well as mechanisms to handle complaints or issues when they arise.
Sport Ireland launched a national Code of Conduct template for sporting organisations in 2023, setting out guidelines and principles promoting the behaviours and conduct expected from athletes, coaches, parents and guardians, supporters, referees and 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.
Sport Ireland’s statutory function with regard to safeguarding is to develop and disseminate guidelines and codes of practice promoting best practice for the protection of children in sport consistent with child protection legislation. As a result, its traditional focus has been on the safeguarding of children as outlined in the Sport Ireland Act 2015.
Sport Ireland recently commissioned Safe Sport International to conduct a needs analysis in the area of safe sport for adults and my Department continues to engage with Sport Ireland in that regard while awaiting the results of this report.
It is anticipated that this analysis and recommendations arising will be considered in the context of Sport Ireland's overall sports governance and administration guidance for the sports sector and also in the context of the development of the next 10-year National Sports Policy, a process that I have recently initiated.
As Minister, I fully support the implementation of effective safeguarding policies and procedures for all across the sports sector, while acknowledging that NGBs are independent, autonomous organisations responsible for their own governance including safeguarding procedures and disciplinary and complaints processes.
