Niall Ó Donnghaile (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

As a fellow sports fan, the Leader will join me in being deeply concerned and somewhat dismayed and confused, if not offended, by the remarks of the Northern Ireland soccer manager, Mr. Michael O'Neill, over the course of the weekend. In an interview which was published online, subsequently removed and republished in a toned down form he accused the Football Association of Ireland, FAI, of employing sectarian tactics and poaching players from the North. It causes me deep concern, in the first instance, because it pertains to issues related to equality of citizenship, identity and our right as fellow citizens to be full and equal participants in the life of Ireland. It is for the FAI to speak for itself and I would not presume to do so, but I imagine that one of its first comments will be that many of the players from the North who will ultimately end up playing for the FAI do the approaching in the first instance as opposed to it poaching them. I do not understand the rationale behind it and do not know how to take it, as sport should not be brought into the political domain. Focusing solely on the issues of identity and citizenship is concerning. We must ensure we stand and act as guardians of the right of citizens in the North to be full and equal participants in the life of Ireland, including playing for the national soccer side unhindered and without the incessant and relentless abuse that, for example, has been levelled at people from the city of Derry who have dared to pull on the green jersey and do what I contest is an exceptional job for Ireland on the field. It is not up to Mr. O'Neill or anyone in the FAI to impose a perceived citizenship on anyone else. An easy solution would be something for which we have called in this Chamber, namely, the creation of an all-Ireland soccer team in line with what happens in boxing, rugby, hockey, cricket and every other sport. Another way around it would be for the FAI to engage with young people in the North from an early age in order that these problems and issues will not present in the later stages of people's careers. In many instances, it is not young people's fault that they have to go through the Irish Football Association's structures in the North. That is the system in place. Let us talk about how to resolve this issue and open up participation in FAI sports to citizens across the country. The reality is that for very many young people in the North, going to play at Windsor Park under the defunct flag of the old unionist regime and having to stand and observe "God Save the Queen" as an anthem is a cold house. They do not want to do it. Many others have an affinity with it. Fair play and good luck to them and more power to their elbow, but we must collectively acknowledge that a growing number of people do not have that affinity and should not be forced to go through these structures. When such a prominent and eminent sports figure like Mr. O'Neill presumes to say people playing for Ireland is somehow sectarian, as guardians of Irish citizenship, we must call it out for what it is.