Paul Bradford (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I did not expect to be called so promptly so my thoughts are a bit unplanned. I welcome the Minister of State to the House and I certainly welcome the motion which is, obviously, fully supported by everybody. Any time the Minister of State comes before us to speak on sporting matters, I appreciate that he has a broad range of knowledge across the entire sporting sector. In particular, I know that one of his first loves is the game of soccer. In that regard, I feel obliged to use this particular motion to comment on the events arising from the YouTube video of the chief executive of the FAI. It is over 40 years since I watched as a very young man a game on television in Dalymount Park between Brazil and an all-Ireland soccer team which for political reasons was called the Shamrock Rovers XI. I was too young to be at the game but the Minister of State was probably there when the Brazilian soccer team, who were world champions in their prime, beat the all-island Irish team by four goals to three. It was a magnificent footballing, sporting and indeed political occasion. I think back as a Spurs fan to the Pat Jennings, Joe Kinnears, Pat Rices and Martin O'Neills. These were world-class footballers playing for an all-island team. We could all be very proud of that particular structure. About 12 months ago, the Taoiseach expressed his view that it would be beneficial for soccer, sport, reconciliation and politics on this island if we could once again have an all-island soccer team. I support this view and I presume the Minister of State would also support it. How strong such a group of players would be at the World Cup and the European Football Championships. That concept of Ireland playing together is one we must encourage.

This is why I am genuinely concerned, disappointed and upset at the song the chief executive of the FAI chose to sing. It is, of course, correct to say that it was an unguarded moment. It was a YouTube video. It was not a planned choral performance but every story tells a tale. I ask myself what sort of story was presented to the majority community in Northern Ireland.

What sort of presentation does it make to the people involved in soccer in Northern Ireland who, generally speaking - I am making a broad spectrum statement - come from a different divide and would have a different political background? I ask my colleagues what would be our reaction if senior executives of the IFA in Northern Ireland were singing loyalist songs or songs remembering or honouring the Shankill butchers or the soldiers who killed so many people in Derry on Bloody Sunday?