Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 December 2020
119. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her attention has been drawn to the fact that developing sports currently without national governing body status from Sport Ireland cannot conduct training due to Covid-19 restrictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43913/20]
View answerThe recognition process for achieving the status of a National Governing Body for a sport in Ireland is a matter solely for Sport Ireland, which has the legislative responsibility for the development of sport in Ireland pursuant to the Sport Ireland Act 2015. There are over 60 recognised National Governing Bodies which have each demonstrated their capacity to organise competitions in their respective codes and to implement policies for health and safety, safeguarding and other matters. These cover a broad range of sports from field sports, Olympic disciplines and minority sports. There are also a number of sporting bodies which are currently working towards recognition, with the support of Sport Ireland.
The Government fully acknowledges the benefits of sport and physical activity for people’s mental and physical wellbeing and has done its utmost to facilitate sport as much as it can within the confines imposed by the public health situation, which remains a serious and ongoing threat to people’s lives. On behalf of the Return to Sport Expert Group, Sport Ireland has issued practical guidance for the sports and physical activity sector, which is available on its website. Detailed operating protocols aligned with public health advice are a prerequisite for the safe return for all sports. It is also essential that these protocols are underpinned by robust compliance and monitoring structures and processes to ensure effective and consistent compliance and adherence with their requirements, a function which is being fulfilled by the National Governing Bodies under the supervision of Sport Ireland.
