Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 June 2018
173. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way in which his Department responded to representations made regarding complaints of bullying at a club (details supplied) and failures of process at club and GAA county board level in responding to these complaints; if this matter was brought to the attention of Sports Ireland by his Department. [25909/18]
View answerI received a representation on 28 February 2018 relating to the club mentioned by the Deputy.
On 12 April I replied to the person who made the representation and informed them that the matter raised is a matter for the GAA as the National Governing Body for Gaelic Games. National Governing Bodies are independent, autonomous bodies and are responsible for their own governance procedures and competition rules for their sport. I have no role in the day to day operations of the GAA or any of the sporting bodies and it would be inappropriate for me to intervene.
I also advised the person that if they had any concerns about the welfare of a child, they should report those concerns to the Child and Family Agency TUSLA.
My officials forwarded a copy of the correspondence to Sport Ireland on 13 April.
I received further emails from the person on 26 April and 9 May seeking a contact person in Sport Ireland to correspond with. A reply issued on 11 June advising the person that any correspondence could be addressed to the CEO of Sport Ireland.
