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

I thank the Minister for coming in. Women's football is booming and has huge potential. The difficulty is the number of leagues for young girls to play in. These leagues are creating barriers for participation in football by young women. We cannot allow legacy issues around leagues and policies to deny girls opportunities to play sport and football. Sport for girls and everybody else is important, not just for physical but also for mental health. It is important to acknowledge that on mental health day. Sport and football are an important avenue for positive development for families and communities because stronger communities make stronger societies. Legacy issues should not impede girls from playing in football.

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