Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 27 March 2013

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications

Sponsorship of Major Sporting Events by Drinks Industry: Discussion with FAI, GAA and IRFU

9:55 am

Photo of John O'MahonyJohn O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I welcome the delegations from the three organisations and commend them on the work they do to promote their games and a healthy lifestyle. I commiserate with Mr. Delaney on last night's result. We have all been there and it is a very thin line at times. The battle was drawn last night but the war is still to be played for.

I took part in a seminar recently which was attended by high-profile GAA intercounty players who had suffered alcohol and gambling addictions. They pointed out strongly that while their involvement in sport in some sense contributed to their problem, it helped them come out the other side in recovery. Many of them are still involved in the organisation as a result of the measures it had in place to help cure their difficulties.

What is the percentage of sponsorship from drinks companies in the overall figure? Is it the case that on a national level the GAA could survive without drinks sponsorship while it would not be the case at local club level? Obviously, the Heineken Cup is a significant event to the IRFU.

Effectively, what the witness is saying is that his organisation would be in a less healthy state if sponsorship by the alcohol industry were banned. How has the ban affected the rugby and other sporting organisations in France, particularly in respect of the Heineken Cup? All of the witnesses have outlined their organisations' code of ethics and education policies. Perhaps they would elaborate further on that point. How far down to club level does the sponsorship money percolate or is it used only at national level?