Vincent P Martin (Green Party) | Oireachtas source

The IABA delegates acted in a reckless way with no regard whatsoever for the fine boxing heritage and history in this country. They do not reflect the followers of boxing. They do not reflect the Kellie Harringtons and Katie Taylors. They do not reflect Eric "Lilywhite Lightening" Donovan from County Kildare, who epitomises all that is decent in the sport of boxing and wish him well as he has a tittle fight in Belfast in September.

I urge the IABA delegates to rethink their actions and hope they have not done irreparable damage to a wonderful tradition that has survived much tougher and challenging times. Boxing did not go the way of many other sporting organisations. It was one place where you could park your politics before entering any boxing stadium. The delegates have done sport and their own sport of boxing a terrible disservice. I hope that we can still rectify the situation. We can talk again about corporate governance and this situation goes to show how endemic the problem is in leadership. I wish to emphasise that not everyone in the IABA is at fault. The senior people in the IABA urged a different outcome but their advice was ignored, neglected and declined by people who did not have the sport's unity and healing front and centre in their thoughts.