Neale Richmond (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This past weekend I had the privilege and pleasure to attend the Union Cup, Europe's largest LGBT-inclusive rugby tournament. It took place at DCU and attracted nearly 50 men's and women's teams from 15 European countries.It was hosted by the Emerald Warriors and was a fantastic occasion. It did great credit to the voluntary committee which put it on and I acknowledge the support it received from Leinster Rugby and the IRFU. It raises a question about inclusivity in sport, however, and whether that pertains to the migrant community, older people, younger people, men, women, LGBT brothers and sisters or those living with disabilities. It was an issue that came up on the doorsteps in the local elections, when people asked about inclusivity in sport as part of local recreation strategies. I call on the Leader to invite the Minister, Deputy Ross, or the Minister of State, Deputy Griffin, to the House to talk about a national strategy for inclusivity in sport. They should take the example of the brilliant Union Cup and the excellent voluntary effort of the Emerald Warriors to spread it out across the country.