Mark Daly (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank colleagues for their contributions. One of the suggestions was with regard to sports capital funding. The issue of code of conduct was also mentioned. One of the lessons from other codes of conduct and initiatives is that if it is not being measured, it is not being done. We have an annual report in terms of how much abuse is reported by referees to make sure we are tracking what is actually happening on the pitch. Referee reports are lodged and, therefore, we need to make sure sporting bodies put a spotlight on what is happening on the field every year and not just when an incident happens and becomes the subject of national debate and then moves on. If we manage to track incidents across all sports then behaviours will change and rules will be brought in to give effect to what Members, members of the public and the Minister of State have been concerned about.

I ask the Minister of State to respond to the debate.