Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

l thank the Minister of State. Players and management listening in will be heartened by what he has said.

I have to acknowledge the work of Justin McCarthy of RTÉ, who did much research and interviewed many of the players. We have heard them talking very publicly and very honestly about their own experience. Of course, many of them are working and studying in cities like Dublin, Galway and Cork but are from more rural counties, like my own county of Cavan, and are perhaps travelling two or three nights a week. It is not acceptable that men’s GAA would be remunerated for any expenses the men incur for that commitment and dedication, and the women are not given equal respect in terms of the expense that is incurred by them. We also heard players say that when they have an injury or have physio, that comes out of their own pocket, unlike the guidelines that are in place for men in the GAA, for whom that is all taken care of and looked after.

There is a big onus on us, as a Government, to ensure there is a level playing field. Given the big disparity that exists, we need to close that gap and create a level playing field for women and men.

Players make huge sacrifices. I would also make the point that many of them have families and small children and they make huge commitment to their team. They do it for their team, their community, their club and their county. It is a passion and a vocation. They should be valued in the same as men in the GAA. I do not in any way suggest that men should not get what they get, of course they should, but women who demonstrate the same dedication to our national game should be valued in the same way.

It would be remiss of me not to mention Aisling Sheridan from Mullahoran, County Cavan, who is about to fly back to Australia. She is a member of the Cavan Ladies Gaelic Football Association but she also plays Australian rules for Collingwood football club and she heads back to Australia tomorrow. That kind of dedication is exemplary and needs to be encouraged.

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