Shane Cassells (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome all of the representatives of our pillar sports, the Department, Sport Ireland the Federation of Irish Sport. I thank them for the work they do and for taking this opportunity to outline to the Oireachtas the work they are doing across society. This work is primarily at a volunteer-based level and that should not be forgotten. I congratulate them all on that.

Dr. May spoke about the issues faced by many of the minority sports in fulfilling the 40% gender quota on their boards by the end of the year. Obviously, this is having an impact on the pillar sports as well. I will start with Ms Rafferty, if I may. The issue is in the headlines in respect of the FAI. We read that nominations could not be secured, which has now led to the deferral of the AGM until December. The compromise seems to be an expansion of the board from 12 to 14. Why is that happening? Is the expansion of the board, even though the Minister of State has said he does not have a problem with it, a circumvention of the spirit of what we are trying to do, which is to reach the 40% gender quota? Did the FAI decide that as it cannot reach the target, it would just expand the board? Is that not circumventing the spirit of what is trying to be achieved here?