Results 81-100 of 19,173 for speaker:Shane Ross

Covid-19 (Sport): Statements (11 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: I thank the Deputy for giving me the opportunity to answer those questions, particularly the one in which she specifically referred to two private schools. The Deputy is absolutely correct. Two private schools were each given grants of €150,000. First, as I have stated previously when the Deputy raised has raised this matter, under the weightings that were in place at that time,...

Covid-19 (Sport): Statements (11 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: I am sorry about that.

Covid-19 (Sport): Statements (11 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: I think it was the day before yesterday. I do not know how it came to be said that the meeting was held yesterday. The days are getting mixed up with all these meetings.

Covid-19 (Sport): Statements (11 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: It might have been yesterday morning or it might have been the previous evening. That meeting was attended by Gary Owens, who is the chief executive of the FAI, and several other people from the NGBs as well, so it was not exclusively the FAI.

Covid-19 (Sport): Statements (11 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: Yes, it was Covid-related.

Covid-19 (Sport): Statements (11 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: I had no contact whatever with Amrop, the recruiting firm. That said, I stand absolutely foursquare behind the chairman, Mr. Barrett. He is doing a job which has completely and utterly disassociated him from the old guard. The six-all division the Deputy mentioned is part of that, but I completely reject the absurd suggestion from Deputy MacSharry that there is some overlap or an...

Covid-19 (Sport): Statements (11 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: The Deputy mentioned the six-all arrangement. It is obvious that there are still some reactionary forces in the FAI. They are not in favour of this arrangement. That is coming up on 6 July. I do not think the delay is due to any sinister reasons, but, rather, to Covid. We must be aware that there are still people in the FAI who are trying to delay the reforms, and I am determined that...

Covid-19 (Sport): Statements (11 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: As the Deputy probably knows, Sport Ireland works with the NGBs regarding inclusion and children and youth sports in the context of these issues. The Deputy is right that recent events have underlined the need for those efforts to be accelerated, emphasised and redoubled.

Covid-19 (Sport): Statements (11 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: That game was postponed by the American colleges and I assume it is still subject to the rules from NPHET about mass gatherings. I thank Deputy Richmond for what he had to say, endorse everything he said and congratulate him for what he said this morning on the radio. It was extremely helpful and courageous and gave a lead to many people today.

Covid-19 (Sport): Statements (11 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: The recovery plan is not in place yet but I would be amazed if the League of Ireland was not part of that because, as the Deputy said, it is a part of so many communities. It is more than just football clubs. As long as I am in this office, which may not be very long, I assure the Deputy I will push for that as far as I possibly can.

Covid-19 (Sport): Statements (11 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: Only on social media. That is all I have.

Covid-19 (Sport): Statements (11 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: I endorse that. It is really important that it comes from this side of the House as well. I will be very brief. I thank the Acting Chairman for his indulgence. The work done on the ground is absolutely unparalleled. The Minister of State, Deputy Griffin, and I have been to many boxing clubs, particularly around this city, which are manned by volunteers who do incredible work for their...

Covid-19 (Sport): Statements (11 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: We hope those clubs will be part of the recovery plan. I cannot speak highly enough of them. It has always been my experience in this Ministry that these clubs are the backbone of sport. It would be wrong if they were not a major and significant part of the recovery plan. The expert group will give advice on the guidelines about which the Deputy talked. Much of it will be up to the...

Covid-19 (Sport): Statements (11 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: That will depend on the recommendations of NPHET. If it recommends that we do so, I am sure we will.

Covid-19 (Sport): Statements (11 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: I will answer that question briefly and then hand over to my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Griffin. The Government is looking for a new package to help sport generally. That will include all the national governing bodies, large and small, and it will be distributed, hopefully, to the grassroots, which are the most important in this regard. I share the Deputy's tribute to the...

Covid-19 (Sport): Statements (11 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: That is the case as far as I know, subject to revision.

Covid-19 (Sport): Statements (11 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: I will share time with my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Griffin. This evening's debate is an opportunity for Deputies to air their views on the pandemic's impact on sport. I look forward to hearing their ideas and suggestions. I do not pretend that we have all the answers at this point, far from it. Many questions remain to be answered. Although considerable uncertainty...

Covid-19 (Sport): Statements (11 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: The current board of the FAI and the changing regime there is very sympathetic and much more supportive of the League of Ireland than the last regime. Although it does not have the resources to do what it would like to do, it certainly has political support. When the Minister of State, Deputy Griffin, and I met the League of Ireland clubs, it was quite apparent they represented the...

Climate Action and Low Carbon Development: Statements (Resumed) (10 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: I thank the Deputy for his comprehensive contribution. I do not think I will have time to answer all of his questions. The schemes he mentioned seem on the surface to have merit, particularly the ones about working from home. I ask him to send me a request in writing and I will have them examined. The more detail he has on them, the better. One of the refreshing outcomes of what has...

Climate Action and Low Carbon Development: Statements (Resumed) (10 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: Yes. I am aware of that.