Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 20: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the obligation placed on some Irish sports people to carry other than an Irish passport. [21215/06]

Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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Question 81: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the contacts he had with FIFA regarding their initial ruling that all Northern Ireland players travel on British passports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25215/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 20 and 81 together.

I was approached by sporting figures in Northern Ireland who were concerned that the requirements for Northern Ireland players were to change under FIFA regulations. The reported change would have had the effect of obliging all players who want to represent Northern Ireland to carry a British passport. This change, if brought into effect, would directly contravene both the spirit and the letter of the Good Friday Agreement and was, therefore, unacceptable.

On learning of the possibility of a change in FIFA's eligibility criteria, I immediately wrote to the President of UEFA to seek clarification of the issue. I also instructed the Irish Ambassador to Switzerland to make contact with both UEFA and FIFA to ensure that they understood the importance of finding a solution that respected the sensitivities of both the main traditions in Northern Ireland. In light of our serious concern, the Irish Embassy to Switzerland remained in intensive contact with FIFA, which culminated in a meeting, on 29 May, between the Ambassador and the Director of FIFA's legal division. In addition to contact at official level, I discussed our concerns with Secretary of State Hain at the British-Irish Council of 2 June. We agreed to adopt a joint position on this issue.

Subsequent to this, on 19 June, the Irish Football Association issued a statement on this subject. It said that while "the administrative detail of this is being finalised" a "solution has been reached which will allow players holding an Irish Passport to continue to represent Northern Ireland."

I am satisfied that a solution has been reached that respects the terms and the spirit of the Good Friday Agreement, and will allow Irish Passport holders to continue to play for Northern Ireland.