asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if it is the Government's intention to request the Irish national soccer team not to go ahead with the planned tour of Chile and Brazil in view of the serious abuses of human rights in those countries.
Written Answers. - Soccer Team Tour.
669.
The Government condemn violations of human rights wherever they occur and have not hesitated to make their views known in this regard in the appropriate form. The Deputy may wish to be aware that Ireland has consistently voted in favour of, and frequently cosponsored, the resolution on human rights in Chile since it first came before the United Nations General Assembly in 1974.
However, the question of sport has not been linked with the human rights policy of the countries mentioned as, for example, in the case of South Africa, nor has the issue of sporting contacts with Chile and Brazil arisen at the United Nations. The Government, therefore, did not feel that it would be appropriate to request the Football Association of Ireland to cancel their planned tour.