Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses and I thank Senator Carrigy for his questions. I have a comment and an observation. A few weeks ago we had a very insightful discussion about referees and the treatment and lack of respect they face, such as the hostility they can meet in field games from spectators, players and parents. I asked the three organisations that were before the committee about the gender balance of referees who officiate these games. We did not get exact numbers but Ms O'Connor answered that question in her presentation when she stated: "In Ireland, 51% of women have never volunteered for sport. Those who do volunteer are less likely than men to coach, referee or be a club official." In that vein, have the witnesses conducted any research, interviews or surveys with those females who do participate as referees about how they feel?

Do they feel safe on a pitch when it comes to refereeing or have they experienced that lack of respect and hostility? Is that a barrier in encouraging women to officiate over games? As Ms O’Connor has already answered this question somewhat in her presentation, I will go to her first for a response.