asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that the Irish Rugby Union proposes to make a short tour of South Africa next year; and if it is his intention to convey to the rugby authorities the official views of the Government in relation to such collaboration with the racialist regime of South Africa.
Ceisteanna—Questions . Oral Answers . - IRFU South African Tour .
10.
: I am aware that a tour of South Africa by the Irish Rugby Football Union has been provisionally scheduled for May 1981. So far as I am aware, the IRFU have not yet taken a final decision on the matter.
The Government's opposition to South Africa's apartheid policies is already well known and their attitude to sporting contacts with South Africa has been clearly stated. In my reply on 25 March to a question concerning the Lions Tour in South Africa I said that the Government were of the view that the Olympic principle of non-discrimination could not be satisfactorily observed in a situation in which the local organisation of many sports in South Africa, including rugby football, continued to be largely determined by the organisation of society in South Africa on the racially segregated basis of the apartheid system. That remains the view of the Government.
I have conveyed the concern of the Government on this matter to the Irish Rugby Football Union.