Niall Ó Donnghaile (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit, an Teachta Chambers. He will know from previous engagement that I tend not to read out a whole lot of stuff at Commencement matters, but because of the complexity of this issue, there are some things I want to put on the record and I will, no doubt, use all my time.

For most of the people of this country, the Good Friday Agreement changed their lives for the better, but there is a group of people who have yet to fully benefit from the agreement in letter and spirit, even though, in a quite specific manner, it relates directly to their circumstances and interests. The group to whom I refer are athletes who live in Ireland and dedicate themselves to their sporting endeavours. The clause of the agreement that specifically relates to this group is the provision that states the Irish and British Governments will exercise their power "with rigorous impartiality on behalf of all of the people in the diversity of their identities and traditions and shall be founded on the principles in full respect for, and equality of, civil, political, [economic,] social and cultural rights, of freedom from discrimination for all citizens and of parity of esteem and of just and equal treatment for the identity, ethos and aspirations of both communities." These are noble and, indeed, worthy aspirations and they form a pillar of the agreement, as does the national identity provision, which recognises the people of the North to identify themselves and be accepted as British or Irish, or both, as they may choose, and accordingly confirm that their right to hold both Irish and British citizenship is accepted by both Governments. The application of these provisions to the athletes of this country would be of immense help in ending almost 90 years of inequality and discrimination practised against them. I refer to the World Athletics 1934 political boundary rule, which actively discriminates against the athletes of this country, North and South, irrespective of their aspirations or background.

The political boundary rule, which is administered by World Athletics, divides athletics in Ireland. As a result, when Irish athletes go to European and World Championships, they can only represent the Republic of Ireland. A team from Ireland - the nation - is not permitted to compete because of the political boundary rule. It could be said, therefore, that World Athletics is discriminating against the Irish people. It is in breach of the Good Friday Agreement. It deprives Irish athletes of the honour of representing the whole of Ireland at European and World Championships and has done so for 88 years.

Let us contrast the impact of this rule on the athletes of this country with the rules governing the Olympic Games. When athletes compete in the Olympic Games, they fall under the authority of the Olympic Federation of Ireland, which represents Ireland the nation. Athletes from all of Ireland's 32 counties participate and are known as "team Ireland". For Olympians, national identity is respected whether it be nationalist or unionist. It is not a barrier or impediment to participation. At the Olympic Games in 2021, there were 31 athletes from the North across 12 sports, seven of whom competed for team GB and 24 for team Ireland. This was possible because there is no political boundary rule in place at the Olympic Games and athletes have a choice in who they represent.

Choice is crucial to athletes and nobody has the right to deprive them of this fundamental right. World Athletics is depriving athletes of the right to choose to represent Ireland or Britain. It is in breach of the Good Friday Agreement declaration in relation to respecting a person's birthright to be accepted as Irish or British, or both. Friends of Irish Athletics secured cross-party support when it made a presentation to the then Oireachtas Joint Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport in July 2019. It also secured the support of both the Minister of State, Deputy Chambers, representing the Government, and the former Minister for Communities, Ms Deirdre Hargey, MLA, representing the North's Executive. Both are on public record as supporting a derogation of the political boundary rule to allow athletes the opportunity to choose which country they want to represent - Ireland or Britain.

This problem can be solved by World Athletics granting a derogation for the island of Ireland for the 1934 political boundary rule. A derogation for Ireland does not mean World Athletics has to change its rules. The boundary rule will still exist, but it would simply not apply to Ireland.On 2 June 2022 and 8 December 2020, the Minister of State indicated in the Dáil that he and the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Deputy Catherine Martin, were in support of attaining a derogation for the island of Ireland from the political boundary rule of World Athletics. The Minister of State has worked with the Minister for Communities, Ms Hargey, on this issue before.

I am seeking an update from the Minister of State on the derogation. I am sure the Seanad supports and would be willing to assist him in any further work that is required.