8 Noll 2011, 17:12
The Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement today turned its attention to the role of sport in alleviating sectarianism, racism, and discrimination in Ireland, North and South.
Addressing the Committee were 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, and Robin Wilson, Founder of Democratic Dialogue who worked on the Irish Football Association’s 'Football for All' campaign.
Committee Chairman Dominic Hannigan, TD said: “The Committee today heard how leaders in soccer, rugby and gaelic games are helping reconcile the two main traditions on the island.
“Reflecting the spirit of the Good Friday Agreement, the Committee is exploring practical ways towards reconciliation in its discussions. The sporting dimension was articulated with great passion today.
“The meeting touched on the deeply held views around the playing of anthems in Dublin and Belfast and serves as a reminder of the profound influences of politics on sport and vice versa.
“The Committee takes on board the strong views expressed on the FAI’s recruitment of talented young soccer players in Northern Ireland, particularly given the great strides made by the IFA to make Windsor Park a warmer place for members of the Nationalist community.
“We were concerned to hear the perception that sectarianism is growing rather than diminishing, particularly in urban parts of Northern Ireland. Nonetheless, the Committee believes that sporting passions, harnessed appropriately, can be a great positive unifier across religion, class and ethnicity on the island.
“The Committee is also encouraged to hear about the positive role the main sporting organisations are playing in integrating immigrant communities and combating racism on the island.
“The Committee notes that athletes from Northern Ireland will form part of the Olympic teams of Ireland and of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, depending on the sport. Taking place on the announcement that the Olympic flame will visit Dublin in June, today’s meeting was timely reminder of the potential of sport to transcend divides.”
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Ends
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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.