Martin Mansergh (Fianna Fail)

I commend Fine Gael for tabling this motion and my party colleagues for tabling a supportive motion. I express my full solidarity with the Senators from Connacht. Rugby is one of the sports in which I have an interest; my grandfather presented a cup that is still played for by clubs in Tipperary. I played the sport for a few years.

Any national organisation, voluntary or otherwise, should operate on the principle of inclusion. I am astonished to have to come to this House to defend the fourth green field – the fourth green field being Connacht. Rugby is not played as the most sensitive of sports – one has only to think of the studs on the boots – but "to Hell or to Connacht" is not a policy that should recommend itself to any organisation. We had a good discussion in this House before Christmas about single gender golf clubs. The same principle applies here. We must have inclusion.