The governance of National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGBs) is a matter for the NGBs themselves and Sport Ireland as the statutory body with responsibility for governance oversight of NGBs.
Minister Ross and I, as well as my predecessor Minister of State Patrick O'Donovan, have made it clear that all sporting bodies in receipt of public funding must work towards compliance with the Governance Code for the Community, Voluntary and Charity Sector. The Government’s National Sports Policy 2018-2027 recognises the importance of good governance for the effective and efficient running of sport and it includes an action that Sport Ireland will oversee a process to have all NGBs and Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs) adopt the Governance Code by the end of 2021. My Department and Sport Ireland have underlined that future funding for NGBs and LSPs will be conditional on compliance with the Governance Code.
I have had no engagement with the association mentioned by the Deputy regarding its compliance with the Governance Code. However, I understand that the association is on the journey to adoption of the Code and I welcome the recent changes it has made regarding term limits for Board members as a positive step on that journey.
I have referred the Deputy's question to Sport Ireland for consideration and direct reply with any further information.
