Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 April 2021
111. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the action taken to tackle discrimination in sport; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21810/21]
View answerDiscrimination of any kind has no place in sport or in any other setting in society. An inclusive approach by all parties concerned with the organisation and delivery of sport is essential to addressing this matter and is a cornerstone of the National Sports Policy 2018-2027.
Sport Ireland, which is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport in Ireland, is currently in the process of developing a new Diversity and Inclusion policy. Earlier this month, Sport Ireland launched a survey on its website seeking input from the public into this new policy. I would accordingly encourage everyone to take the time to provide their observations to Sport Ireland to help develop some focused actions and targets in order to promote more inclusion and diversity in sport.
I have arranged for Sport Ireland to provide the Deputy with a comprehensive update on existing inclusion and diversity projects.
I also recently held a meeting with a wide range of anti-discrimination stakeholders to discuss this matter. It is an important issue, which I will continue to pursue with Sport Ireland, the National Governing Bodies of Sport and with other Ministerial colleagues with responsibilities in this area.
