Chris Andrews (Dublin Bay South, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for coming in at this late hour. The sport of MMA has grown immensely over the past decade. Participation in MMA in Ireland is very diverse. If one walks into any MMA club, one will see a mix of people ranging from office workers to construction workers, young and old. One will see a real mix of nationalities training side by side. We have also seen the great potential MMA can offer young people through programmes such as the MMA coaching and education programme in Drogheda. The aim of this programme is to provide support for young people caught up in antisocial activity and to help them move off that particular path.

Following the tragic death of João Carvalho in 2016, which has been mentioned, the Coroner's Court recommended the introduction of standardised safety procedures and protocols for MMA events in Ireland in addition to raising the need to expedite the endorsement of a national governing body, NGB, for MMA. The IMMAA, was founded in 2017 and has introduced exceptionally high safety standards for amateur athletes involved in MMA. These standards are properly higher than those for any other contact sport under the remit of Sport Ireland. IMMAA athletes have consistently represented Ireland very strongly. At the 2018 world amateur MMA championships, Ireland came second in the context of the number of medals won. These amateur athletes deserve proper recognition.

There is currently no clear path for the IMMAA to become recognised as an NGB, despite its best efforts. There is an urgent need for the Minister of State to intervene and ensure that equal treatment in the application process is granted to the IMMAA in its quest for NGB status and that the recommendations of the Coroner's Court are implemented. That really is vital. Will the Minister of State outline if and how he will intervene to ensure that the IMMAA receives the equal treatment it deserves?

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