Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 June 2026
83. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to outline his most recent engagements with an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43469/26]
View answerOver recent months, I have had a number of engagements with the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) in relation to a range of matters, including governance reform in the context of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government and the FAI, the development of football academies to which multi-annunal funding of €3 million has been committed, the recoupable grant from Government to the FAI towards the Aviva Stadium licence fee, the FAI’s new Strategy 2026-2029, Ireland’s co-hosting of EURO 2028 and a potential bid by the FAI to host UEFA’s Women’s Champions League Final in 2029.
The most recent formal in-person meeting I had with the FAI was on 25 February last, during which the FAI briefed Minister O’ Donovan and I on its decision to fulfil its Nations League fixtures against Israel in September and October and on its response to the use of pyrotechnics at the Drogheda versus Dundalk match at Oriel Park on 20 February.
I commend the FAI disciplinary process that imposed significant sanctions arising out of the damage to the Oriel Park pitch. The FAI’s proposals for enhanced future security measures to guard against incidents like this are also very welcome.
With regard to Ireland’s upcoming Nations League fixtures against Israel, the FAI has stated that it intends to fulfil both fixtures in accordance with its obligations as a member of UEFA. Where such fixtures take place is ultimately a matter for the FAI and UEFA.
As Minister with responsibility for Sport, I have no role in how National Governing Bodies for sport organise their sports or in their day-to-day operational functions. As an independent and autonomous body, the FAI is completely within its rights to fulfil its international fixtures, and the Government acknowledges its right to do so.
