Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I join in welcoming the Minister of State and congratulate him on his appointment. I thank him for coming to answer my question and the Cathaoirleach for selecting my Commencement matter which ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to outline the safeguards and mechanisms in place to ensure good governance policies and procedures are adopted within national sports organisations funded by the Irish Sports Council. As it turns out, my question is timely, given the news today about Russia and the International Olympic Committee. I am not asking a question about that matter, nor is it about drugs or doping in sport. In fact, it is of a more general nature and was prompted more by the ongoing disclosures about Console and charity regulations. Also, I have met certain individuals who, based on their own experiences, are seriously concerned about the governance of a particular sport in Ireland, namely, tennis. They have raised a number of issues with me. However, in listening to them I felt the issues being raised might be of general concern in terms of sports body governance.

I acknowledge the many thousands of people across Ireland who work in a voluntary capacity and do immense work in sports organisations. At a very low level, I am involved with the FAI in the local schoolgirl soccer league; therefore, I know the work and commitment that goes into volunteering. I do not mean to question people's commitment or the huge goodwill shown by them. There are, however, three issues that are relevant in referring to national sports organisations funded by the Irish Sports Council. Will the Minister of State outline the mechanisms in place to ensure good governance in such organisations? There is accountability for funding. Clearly, different amounts are provided for different sports bodies by the council. Is there a general mechanism in place to ensure accountability? I understand some funding is channelled through another organisation.

In terms of general governance and the rules sports bodies adopt in selecting, for example, competitors to take part in national or regional competitions, does the Irish Sports Council have any role or mechanism in place to ensure transparent and fair procedures are followed?

The most serious issue is that of child protection. Does the Irish Sports Council have a role in ensuring child protection procedures are observed? In the term of the last Government significant legislation dealing with vetting, child protection and the disclosure of abuse was passed. In this regard, how are national procedures implemented? How does the Irish Sport Council ensure national procedures are implemented at local level? Everyone will be aware of the huge scandal in the sport of swimming. We need to ensure the child protection mechanisms now in place are robust, watertight and being observed by the different sports bodies funded by the Irish Sports Council.