asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has made any representations to sporting organisations in Ireland regarding proposed tours to countries in which apartheid policies are being pursued, with particular reference to the forthcoming rugby tour of Southern Africa.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Apartheid Policy.
85.
I have not made any such representations. I am satisfied that the Government's position on this question is well-known to all interested parties, including sports participants and organisations. However, I welcome this further opportunity to emphasise once again that the Government are strongly opposed to the philosophy and practices of the evil system of apartheid. This opposition to apartheid has been made clear on every suitable occasion, in this House, at the United Nations, in other international organisations and elsewhere.
The United Nations General Assembly has declared its unqualified support of the Olympic principle that no discrimination should be allowed in sports events on grounds of race, religion or political affiliation and it is the Government's policy to support that principle. The Government believes that selection for representative teams, should be made on the basis of merit and achievement alone. Accordingly, the Government can only view with regret any participation by Irish sportsmen or women in sports events organised in violation of this principle. However, sports organisations in this country are private bodies and their members must freely determine their attitude to the Olympic principle of non-discrimination on grounds of race in sport.
In saying this, I wish to emphasise also that it is not the Government's desire to interfere with the normal freedom of citizens to travel abroad.
Questions Nos. 86, 87 and 88 postponed.