asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has had any contact with the IRFU regarding any visits by Irish rugby players to South Africa.
Written Answers. - IRFU Contacts.
29.
I presume the Deputy's question refers to plans for a World XV to tour South Africa in connection with the South African rugby board's centenary celebrations this summer. There have been no direct contacts with the IRFU on this subject and while there have been press reports that players from Britain, Ireland, France, Australia and New Zealand are to be invited, I am not aware of any indications that Irish players have indeed been invited.
The views of the Government on sporting contacts with South Africa, with specific reference to rugby football, were made very clear during the controversy surrounding the IRFU tour of South Africa in 1981, which caused it to lose Government financial support, and also more recently with regard to a proposed tour of that country by a World XV last year. The IRFU can be in no doubt as to the Government's position on this issue, which is that sporting contacts of this kind only serve to bolster the apartheid system. This system, which denies fundamental human rights to the vast majority of South Africans purely on grounds of their skin colour, is morally reprehensible and has been condemned by the international community. The Government believe that participation by Irish players in the proposed tour would not be in the interest of justice in South Africa or of Ireland's international reputation. The Government would hope, therefore, that any Irish players who may be approached will carefully consider their decision in the light of Government policy.