Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is true that women have achieved major sporting success as of late but the push for greater gender representation in Irish sport is something in which we all must get involved. I see challenges myself. In Carlow, an issue that constantly comes up is securing female coaches for female teams. Another obstacle is Garda vetting. This is an enormous issue. On the ground there are challenges that mean there are situations in which young women cannot access sports locally because clubs do not have enough women coaches. What else does the Minister of State think we can do to support this on the ground? This is very important.

I welcome the Minister of State's statement. I also have figures to hand. The local sports partnership saw an increase of 2% over the past year, with females accounting for 39% of board members. However, The Irish Timesreported that 17 NGBs have 20% or fewer women on their boards, including the so-called "big three", that is the IRFU with 13%, the FAI with 17%, and the GAA with 20%, as well as the board for Ireland's most successful Olympic sport, the Irish Athletic Boxing Association with only 17%. What else can we do? While I know the Minister of State is doing his best, we need to do more.

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