Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 1 May 2001

Vol. 535 No. 1

Written Answers - GAA Rules.

Proinsias De Rossa

Question:

86 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if he has had or plans to have discussions with the GAA regarding the retention by the association of Rule 21, which bans members of the RUC or British Army from membership of the association, especially having regard to the continuing implementation of policing reform in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11974/01]

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

The question of the deletion of Rule 21 from the Rule Book of the Gaelic Athletic Association is a matter for the organisation itself, which is an independent, autonomous body. While I have no plans to meet the GAA on this matter, I and other Government Ministers have, on a number of occasions, publicly expressed our support for the deletion of Rule 21 from the rules of the GAA.