Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 398: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his plans to institute an anti-racism or anti-sectarianism campaign through sports in general, and in particular soccer, modelled on the lines of Britain's Kick Racism Out of Football campaign; if any Irish group is working with European sporting organisations on a co-ordinated anti-racism campaign, for example, FARE; the Government's position on the written declaration of the European Parliament on tackling racism in football; and the steps the Government is taking to use sport as a tool for eliminating racism and sectarianism. [10158/06]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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Irish sports policy, its funding and its programmes, have always been firmly grounded on the fundamental principle that sport belongs to the community and to the citizen. Government support for sport is predicated on the need for tolerance, mutual respect, fair play and equal access for everybody. The Irish Sports Council, which is the statutory body for the development of sport, is fully dedicated to the development of Irish sport for all people across a wide range of support programmes and initiatives.

The national lottery-funded sports capital programme, which is administered by my Department, allocates funding to sporting and community organisations at local, regional and national level throughout the country for projects which must be directly related to the provision of sport and recreation facilities.

The guidelines, terms and conditions of the programme clearly stipulate that "Applicants will have to submit rules and procedures as evidence of non discrimination on the grounds of sex, religion, ethnic origin etc."

Government policy on racism in sport is reflected in the national action plan against racism, which was launched by the Taoiseach in 20 January 2005. A strategic monitoring group, SMG, has been established under the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform to drive the plan forward. The group comprises representatives of the Government, the social partners and relevant non-governmental organisations.

One of the key objectives of the national action plan is concerned with enhancing recognition and awareness of cultural diversity, and the SMG is currently examining how it can assist sports organisations in developing initiatives to tackle racism and promote diversity in sport.

The SMG recently met with the FAI, the Professional Footballers' Association, Sport Against Racism in Ireland, Show Racism the Red Card, which involves elite Gaelic, rugby and soccer players, and the National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism, with a view to furthering co-operation and agreeing a plan of action on the issues raised by the Deputy. My Department was also represented at that meeting.

Several initiatives are already under way in soccer in Ireland, including the implementation of an anti-racism campaign at National League grounds, cross-Border initiatives such as the Setanta Cup, the organisation of several intercultural football events and the encouragement of ethnic minorities to become involved in existing FAI programmes. In accordance with the written declaration of the European Parliament, the FAI is already engaged with UEFA on the implementation of UEFA's ten-point plan, which it intends to implement fully, and will develop a programme of actions that will further enhance its work in promoting integration and in preventing racism and sectarianism in soccer in Ireland.