Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Sinn Féin broadly welcomes the Sport Ireland Bill 2014. When two or more organisations are being amalgamated, it is important that no jobs are lost in the process. Therefore, we are happy to see the guarantee in this Bill that no jobs will be lost in this case. We cannot envision many downfalls with the merger of the Irish Sports Council and the National Sports Campus Development Authority under the one umbrella. The same thing was done in the case of the Child and Family Agency. We hope that all functions currently fulfilled by both bodies will continue to be carried out efficiently and that the pooling of resources benefits positively on the new body. In saying that, it is important for the development of sport in Ireland that the Minister of State uses this opportunity to encourage a number of initiatives within the new body that seek the betterment of our approach to sport in this State.

The value of sport in any society cannot be underestimated. It is of great benefit to the mental and physical health of those who partake in it and it can be an extremely important factor in the context of social inclusion and integration. Sporting activities give the marginalised and the underprivileged, including migrants and those at increased risk of discrimination, opportunities to integrate with other social groups. According to the UN Office on Sport for Development and Peace, sport can play an important role in reducing social tensions and conflicts at community and national levels by addressing the sources of exclusion and providing those on the fringes of our society with an alternative entry point into the social and economic lives of the communities in which they live.

Sports participation can make a profound difference in the lives of excluded populations, including indigenous people, members of minority ethno-cultural groups, asylum seekers and refugees, girls and women, people with disabilities, homeless people and young school leavers who are unemployed. Everyone who lives in extreme poverty suffers from exclusion. Initiatives such as Soccer Against Racism Ireland and the midnight leagues clearly demonstrate the positive impact of using sport to tackle discrimination and racism. In this regard, I applaud the partnership approach between the Garda, local authorities and the FAI in areas like Ballymun and Ballyfermot. An achievable strategy to combat social exclusion must be a priority for sport Ireland and the Minister of State.

As a result of the economic collapse, many people have suffered financially, emotionally and mentally. Sporting initiatives at community level can open an entire new avenue of social capital to those who have suffered and continue to suffer most in our society. Sport and physical activity is an important tool if we are to combat the rising levels of obesity in this State. A focus should be put on tackling the issue of childhood and youth obesity through various sport initiatives being rolled out in communities and schools. Not only does sport allow children and young people to meet new people, learn new skills and learn the importance of self-responsibility, but it also facilitates a healthier lifestyle and general well-being. All Government agencies, State bodies and organisations should work together on this issue.

Women in sport are consistently under-appreciated, under-represented and under-rated in this State. This year's success of the Irish women's rugby and soccer teams is a testament to the skill and talent of our female players. However, their participation seems to be at the bottom of the priority list. Earlier this year, matchday expenses were cut for the women's international soccer team, yet retained for the men's team players. Katie Taylor, who is a world, European and Olympic champion, is a fantastic role model to young women across this island. I had the great pleasure of seeing Katie Taylor box on a number of occasions prior to her Olympic success. Even though she was a world and European champion, the lack of media presence at her fights was noteworthy. There were no television cameras and there was hardly a photographer in sight. I think this is an absolute disgrace, especially when compared to what would happen if we had a men's champion. I intend to go to see Katie Taylor fight in Fermoy on 11 October next. I will watch with interest to see if anything has changed. A strategy to tackle the chronic under-funding and under-representation of women across many State bodies, from sport Ireland to RTE, is needed along with a grassroots investment in female participation in sport. Sport is empowering. It must be used as a tool to close the gender equality gap that exists in society.

Given that I have raised the administration of the sports capital programme in the Dáil previously, I must give credit where credit is due. Consecutive sports capital programmes have been a lifeline for many clubs and organisations. Sports clubs and communities can benefit through the extra funding that is provided for important projects through this positive mechanism. I commend the Government on this initiative. I hope it will continue year on year because it is vitally important for all communities across the island. It is unfortunate that large sums of money remain buried under red tape while previous successful applications have yet to draw down funding. I understand this accounts for €53 million. I ask the Minister of State to review whether any of this could be released for future applications. Could sport Ireland be given responsibility for undertaking this duty?

I also believe that the criteria for the grant could be improved to ensure that disadvantaged communities that are most in need are continually prioritised. In my constituency there is a boxing club that met the criteria for the grant but which was unsuccessful in its application. It is in a small rural community just outside of a RAPID area. Many of the members of this boxing club come from a RAPID town because the town itself has no a boxing club. This would not necessarily have been known by the person assessing the application, however, and improvements in the application process could be made to reflect such situations. Dublin City Council made two applications for funding for all-weather pitches in an area of huge disadvantage, both of which were refused. We urge the Minister of State to have further discussions with Dublin City Council to enable it to overcome any barriers preventing it from meeting the criteria. The grants must be front-loaded for areas of social and economic disadvantage. Communities with drugs task forces and those which are designated RAPID areas must always be given top priority because sport is an integral part of tackling anti-social behaviour and encouraging positive interactions.

Sinn Féin believes that all Government bodies, institutions and initiatives should operate on an all-Ireland basis. We would like to see sport Ireland prioritise and firmly implement a cross-Border approach when it comes to sport on this island. In a nation that recently came out of conflict, sporting programmes can be used to help build and foster positive community relations and interactions. This must be practical and achievable. Community-based events should be rolled out between players or participants from differing backgrounds in the North and South. If given the proper resources, this could be carried out by the local authorities. Many sporting codes operate on an all-Ireland basis such as rugby union, Gaelic games, basketball, rugby league, hockey and cricket. Nothing can encourage a sense of community, pride and common identity like playing in and winning a tournament together. Children from differing religious, political and socio-economic backgrounds would benefit greatly from playing on teams with their counterparts in different counties throughout this island. A sense of understanding and a bond can be developed between teammates and players that would otherwise have never existed. This would be a key element of cross-community relationship building and conflict resolution. We would encourage the Minister of State and sport Ireland to work closely with their counterparts in the North to develop, implement and maintain all-Ireland sports-based initiatives.

Once again, on behalf of Sinn Féin, I welcome this Bill. We hope that the combination of the resources of both bodies will benefit efforts to combat doping in sport, something that eradicates the genuine competitive nature of sporting games and competition. I would like to wish everyone tasked with the transition from two sporting bodies to one the best of luck, and I hope that the Minister of State and sport Ireland take on board our recommendations for the future.

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