Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 November 2021
134. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if a member of the indoor sport sector has been invited to sit on the Expert Group on the Return to Sport. [55091/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraTo facilitate the safe return of sporting activity, an Expert Group was established to provide advice and guidance to sporting bodies and to review protocols to ensure they are in compliance with public health advice. In addition, the Expert Group has developed extensive guidance for the sport sector on assessing and mitigating the risk of infection at sports training and competitive events. I would like to express my sincere thanks and appreciation to all members of the Group for their efforts which have facilitated a safe return to sport for children and adults.
The Expert Group membership includes representation on behalf of indoor sport and is made up of the following people.
- Mr. Micheál Ó Conaire (Chair), Department of Sport
- Ms. Betty Griffin, Department of Sport
- Mr. James Lavelle, Department of Sport
- Professor Seamas Donnelly, Trinity College - Professor of Medicine
- Dr. Jim O’Donovan, Sport Ireland Institute – Medical Professional
- Dr. Rod McLoughlin, IRFU - Medical Professional
- Dr. Alan Byrne, FAI – Medical Professional
- Dr. Una May, Sport Ireland – Participation, Ethics, Antidoping
- Mr. Paul McDermott, Sport Ireland - High Performance/National Governing Bodies
- Mr. Shane Califf, Sport Ireland - National Governing Bodies
- Ms. Niamh O’Sullivan, Sport Ireland - High Performance
- Mr. Feargal McGill, GAA – Games Administration
- Ms. Brenda O’Donnell, Cara - Disability Representative
- Ms. Sarah O’Connor, Wilson Hartnell - Head of Sport
All Sport Ireland members are heavily engaged with a broad range of sports and stakeholders across organised, high performance and participation sport. This includes all recognised NGBs and LSPs. This group also includes a member with a longstanding relationship with Basketball as a former board member and Vice President of Basketball Ireland
Sport Ireland also frequently engages with other representative bodies who in turn communicate the various operational challenges experienced by their communities.
These include:
- Ireland Active (Leisure Sector)
- Go for Life (older adults)
- CARA (disability sport)
- Student Sport Ireland (third level sport)
- Federation of Irish Sport (Members include non Sport Ireland recognised NGBs)
Separately my Departmental Officials and I have engaged directly with the sector, holding regular meetings throughout the pandemic, through the Sports Monitoring Group. This engagement has included specific meetings with the indoor sport sector.
