Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour) | Oireachtas source

There is some encouragement to be taken from the reply. Last month, the English Football Association joined associations from Brazil, Australia, Norway and New Zealand in bringing the payments for appearance fees for their women's team in line with their men's team. Players on the Irish men's team get €2,500 as a basic appearance fee before any win bonus or other extras. Our women get €500, 20% of what the men get. The Department gives the FAI €800,000 a year. Will the Minister of State ensure that money comes with strict conditions for appearance fees? The book Champagne Footballwas released in recent weeks by Mark Tighe and Paul Rowan. Any person with a love of this sport has been shocked by what they have read in this book. Can the Minister of State imagine being a woman player at club or international level seeing millions of euro washing around the FAI while having to pay to play in the Champions League on behalf of her club? It is disgraceful.

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