Mr. Gerard Perry:

I thank the Senator for the question. I am aware of the Louth branch’s issues, which are similar to many branches around the country, as I am sure my colleague from the ISRS will say. All of those inputs are on the table with our referee welfare group and those things will be considered. A number of leagues already apply a rope around the football pitches in public spaces but it is difficult for a referee to police that and it is up to the clubs to police it. What happens is that after a period of time the rope gets pushed forward and then all of a sudden it is on the ground. It is difficult and it is much easier to deal with that behaviour where there is an actual fence on a private ground. I wrote to the Louth branch immediately after it raised those issues and invited it, through the ISRS, to contribute to the work of the welfare group. All of those matters are being considered.