5 Noll 2011, 17:32
The next meeting of the Joint Committee on the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement will focus on the issues of sectarianism, racism, and general discrimination in Ireland, North and South.
Taking place this Thursday 8 December, the theme for the meeting is Promoting reconciliation: The role of sport organisations in combating sectarianism, racism and discrimination.
Committee Chairman Dominic Hannigan, TD said: “Reflecting the spirit of the Good Friday Agreement, the Committee intends to explore practical ways towards reconciliation. All traditions on the island share a long-standing passion for sport and the Committee sees sport as a vehicle to be a unifier across the island.”
“We welcome leading figures from soccer, rugby and Gaelic games from across the island of Ireland to discuss addressing difficulties in community relations through sport initiatives.
“This diverse group will bring their own unique experience and knowledge of the issues to the discussion and their rich perspectives will shine a light on this important issue.”
Speaking on the issue will be will be:
- Garrett Mullen, Co-ordinator of 'Show Racism the Red Card';
- Trevor Ringland MBE, Former Irish Rugby International;
- Ryan Feeney, Head of Community Development, Ulster GAA;
- Robin Wilson, Founder of Democratic Dialogue
The meeting takes place this Thursday 8 December at 12 noon in Committee Room 4, Leinster House 2000.
Committee proceedings can be followed live here.
Follow this Committee on Facebook.
Ends
For further information please contact:
Paul Hand,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 4484
M: +353 87 694 9926
F: +3531 618 4551
paul.hand@oireachtas.ie
Radio interviews can be organised by contacting Chairman of the Committee’s Office on (01) 6183010.
Members of the Committee:
Deputies Seán Conlan, Seán Crowe, Clare Daly, Regina Doherty, Alan Farrell, Frank Feighan, Martin Ferris, Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan, Dominic Hannigan, Michael P. Kitt, Joe McHugh, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, Joe O’Reilly, Brendan Smith and Joanna Tuffy.
Senators Jim D’Arcy, Maurice Cummins, Martin McAleese, Mary Moran, Mary White.
Chairman: Dominic Hannigan, TD Vice-Chairman: Joe O'Reilly, TD
Editor’s notes:
Trevor Ringland MBE is a former Irish rugby international, having played for Ballymena RFC, Ulster, Ireland, and the British and Irish Lions. Since retirement, he has served as a committee member of the Irish Rugby Football Union. Trevor is active with Peace Players International, an organization aimed to promote cross-community unity in Belfast. In 2006 he was appointed as an independent member of the Northern Ireland Policing Board.
Garrett Mullan is the Co-ordinator of Show Racism the Red Card, an initiative set up to harness the profile of sports personalities to promote anti-racism education. Previous to his current position, Garrett worked as a social care worker, spent a year as a Probation and Welfare Officer and worked as an Outreach worker and researcher with the Dublin Simon Community.
Ryan Feeney is the Head of Community Development, Strategy and Public Affairs with the Ulster Council GAA. Ryan oversees the implementation of the Ulster GAA Health and Wellbeing Programme and the Cultural and Heritage aspects of the Ulster GAA’s strategic plan. In 2011, Ryan was appointed to the Northern Ireland Policing Board as an independent member.
Dr Robin Wilson is an international expert on intercultural dialogue, bringing his specialist knowledge of the Northern Irish troubles to addressing how football can promote relationships across community divides. Robin assisted in drafting the policy A Shared Future by the Office of the First Minister and the deputy First Minister in 2005. He has served as an advisor to Football Against Racism, co-drafted an intercultural plan for the FAI, and evaluated the IFA’s Football for All campaign.