Dr. Una May:

We have carried out research because one of the pillars of our women in sport programme is around leadership and governance. We have carried out comprehensive research and focus groups on individuals to identify the barriers. Those barriers are broad but include areas around opportunities, training, education and awareness. Sometimes it is about resistance. Visibility is a very important one. It follows on from Senator Cassells’s query about the broadening of boards to accommodate greater gender balance. It is a different solution but it increases the number of women on boards and provides an opportunity for women across the organisations to contribute. Sport Ireland has produced a gender balance on boards toolkit following on from our research in the area to ensure everyone has the tools at their beck and call to deliver on the targets we have set. In terms of accessibility and availability of experts when it comes to independent board members, the federation has done strong work in that area.