Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 3 Feb 2000

Vol. 513 No. 5

Written Answers. - GAA Rule 21.

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

19 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the response, if any, from the GAA to the speech he made at a GAA dinner in Letterkenny on 22 January 2000 in which he called on the association to reconsider its attitude to the police force in Northern Ireland; the discussions, if any, he has or will have with the GAA in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2745/00]

Alan Shatter

Question:

22 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the representations, if any, made by him to the GAA to lift the ban on RUC members; and the Governments views on lifting the ban. [2758/00]

Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation (Dr. McDaid)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 19 and 22 together.

As I have stated on previous occasions, any decision relating to the deletion of rule 21 from the GAA rule book is a matter for the GAA and its members, as an independent, autonomous national governing body of sport. However, the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and other colleagues have publicly expressed their support for the deletion of rule 21, while emphasising that the matter is one for the GAA alone.

Recently, at a public function and in discussions with senior officers of the GAA, I raised the question of the GAA deleting Rule 21. A recent press release issued by the GAA confirms that the association is keeping the matter under review in the light of recent developments in relation to the police service in Northern Ireland, and in accordance with the motion adopted by the GAA's Special Congress in 1998, which pledged its intention to delete Rule 21 when, and I quote from the motion, "effective steps are taken to implement the amended structures and policing arrangements envisaged in British/Irish Agreement."