Shane Cassells (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will start by asking questions as they come to me. This debate has progressed since last year, which is the most welcome aspect. It is not the case that, after people came in and made statements, we moved on and waited another five years before touching the issue again. I praise Ms O’Connor in particular for attending this meeting with a series of objectives and asking the committee to adopt them. I propose that we adopt them and that we work with the Department, whose officials are present, and the Minister to see them implemented. This is the first time that witnesses have returned, told us that they have done their homework and shown us what they wanted us to do. There is no point in us using flowery language, patting people on the head, sending them out the door and doing nothing. Ms O’Connor has come to this meeting, taken the issue seriously and set out a series of objectives for us to achieve. We can tie them in to projects that have received State funding, and that should be implemented. I propose that we do so. In February, €150 million was given out to 1,900 clubs. Each of those clubs should be adhering to the code of conduct being requested by the head of the Federation of Irish Sport. That is the bartering tool – if they sign up to the code, they must adhere to it and abusers must be ejected from grounds. Is the Department willing to accept Ms O’Connor’s proposals and work with the federation to see the signage implemented?