Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his comprehensive reply. I accept that Departments are working together on this matter but in fairness to those who made submissions to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children, they pointed out that this is not just an issue for schools but also for all of the sporting organisations. We must make sure that there is one set of rules across the board for all sports settings and all sports, including GAA, rugby, soccer and so forth. That is why the witnesses suggested the setting up of a task force to include the people in the Department who are already working on this issue, as well as the other relevant stakeholders. It is about getting everybody on board.

The representatives of Irish rugby who attended the hearings pointed out that there are world-wide regulations in rugby for dealing with concussion. There is a need for all sporting organisations to work together with the relevant Departments which is why a task force is a good idea. I am not saying that such a task force should meet every week for 12 months. I am simply saying that it is important for everybody to work together to provide the relevant information and to ensure that everyone is applying the same set of rules as regards players being removed from the field of play, when they can resume playing and how this is effected. That is very important.