Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We will now turn to considering the issues affecting sport in Ireland. This is the third hearing on the subject which we have included in our work programme for 2017. Today we will continue our examination of a number of areas, including how governance is supported and promoted by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. We will also continue the discussion on the issue of gender quotas on the boards of State-sponsored governing bodies of sport by seeking the views of the Minister, Deputy Shane Ross, and the Minister of State, Deputy Patrick O'Donovan, on how it should be managed. We have previously heard from the GAA, the IRFU, the FAI, Sport Ireland and the Federation of Irish Sport. Today the Minister and the Minister of State will have an opportunity to respond to some of their expressed concerns. I am delighted to welcome the Minister and the Minister of State. I invite the Minister to make his opening statement.