Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport and Media to discuss challenges facing women in sport

The meeting at 1.30pm in Committee Room 1 of Leinster House will be split into two sessions:

• 1.30-3pm – Jack Chambers, Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach with special responsibility as Government Chief Whip and at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media with special responsibility for the Gaeltacht and sport.
• 3.05-4.30pm – Representatives from The Federation of Irish Sport and Sport Ireland.

Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Niamh Smyth said: “This meeting continues the Committee’s examination of the challenges facing women in sport and follows on from our discussions earlier this year with the Federation of Irish Sport and sports representative bodies.

“There has been much welcome progress in recent years for women and girls in a wide range of sports, culminating in the success of boxers Kellie Harrington and Katie Taylor on the global stage. The popularity of ladies’ football and hurling, and the performances of the Irish women’s soccer team have also boosted the profile of ladies’ games and given young girls role models to look up to.

“However, there remains much to do for women and girls playing sports at all levels, as has been illustrated by concerns expressed in public and the media. The Committee looks forward to a wide-ranging discussion with Minister Chambers, the Federation of Irish Sport and Sport Ireland on the progress made to date, the problems that remain and the challenges ahead facing women and girls in sport.”

The Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport and Media  has 14 Members, nine from the Dáil and five from the Seanad.

The meeting in Committee Room 1 can be viewed live on Oireachtas TV.

Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.