Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The current board of the FAI and the changing regime there is very sympathetic and much more supportive of the League of Ireland than the last regime. Although it does not have the resources to do what it would like to do, it certainly has political support.

When the Minister of State, Deputy Griffin, and I met the League of Ireland clubs, it was quite apparent they represented the beating heart of Irish football but also that of communities. They are just too important to ignore, let go or in any way not support. I am very hopeful. I do not know the result of this evening's meeting. It may have been rather difficult because there is constantly a funding problem. I have absolutely no doubt, however, that there is goodwill there. There is a great deal more goodwill than there was under the old regime. The break in regime will help. Funding will be a problem but we are very supportive of the League of Ireland. We are looking for a package for sport in general. We hope that we will be able to support the League of Ireland in some way out of that. I am not making any promises of any sort but that is our ambition.

On the aviation issue which the Deputy raised, I will convey his views to the Irish Aviation Authority, IAA. I can go no further than that at this point.

On driver testing, I presume the Deputy is referring to the actual testing of drivers and people queuing up. He is right. There is a big problem. It is very obvious what the problem is. The oral testing obviously can start earlier as it is easy enough. I really could not understand why it could not be done earlier than this. However, that was the advice we got. It is obviously one of the last things that will fall when restrictions are lifted because it is, as far as I know, almost impossible to carry out a driver test without sitting beside or very close to the driver tester. That is obviously one of the biggest health risks going. It is a great pity but we cannot sort it overnight without breaching the social distance rules in existence. When NPHET recommends that driver testing should go ahead, I will be the last person to stand in its way.

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