Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 167: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a person (details supplied) has been subjected to anti-Irish racist abuse from the terraces at Scottish Premier League games this month; if he will write to the Scottish First Minister, the Scottish Football Association, and the Scottish Premier League requesting that they take action to stamp out this anti-Irish racism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37731/08]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware of the ongoing issue of sectarian behaviour at Scottish Premier League games. I am conscious of the distress and offence it can cause. Since its opening in 1998, the Consulate General of Ireland in Edinburgh has maintained a wide-ranging dialogue with the Scottish Government on various issues. In recent weeks, the Consul General has been in close contact with senior officials in the Scottish Government in relation to incidents of sectarianism of the kind referred to in the question. Following these discussions, I am assured that tangible new steps to tackle sectarianism and racism in sport are being reviewed by the Scottish Government. I am hopeful that the proposed measures will help to improve the situation. The Consulate General will continue to monitor closely developments in this regard.