Emer Currie (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have been contacted quite a lot by Ongar Chasers Basketball Club in the past 24 hours, because of the guidelines issued by Sport Ireland which relate to basketball, volleyball and squash.This is a club, like so many other clubs around the country, that has kept going throughout Covid. Even in the deepest, darkest winter last year, they were playing outside, rallying around the community and the sport. What has been said is that children under 18 who cannot show proof of vaccination cannot play indoors, which obviously throws up all sorts of questions that the clubs need clarity on. Under-12s cannot be vaccinated at the moment so how are they taking part in other activities? Assistance needs to be given to Basketball Ireland and to the basketball clubs on this. Of course, those aged under 18 are not being asked for proof of vaccination in other areas. We have done such a good job with the digital Covid certificate that we have a lot of confidence in that system, but we have to make sure it is consistent. It is important that clarity is given to these voluntary organisations to make sure that whatever other sports are doing, it is applied to these sports as well.