Kevin O'Keeffe (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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46. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his Department's main initiatives relating to cross-Border co-operation with Northern Ireland with regard to issues pertaining to sport; the plans which have been put in place to both maintain and enhance sporting links with Northern Ireland in view of the United Kingdom’s decision to leave the European Union; and the number of meetings he has held with his Northern Ireland counterpart with regards to issues relating exclusively to sport. [14071/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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I am very aware of the importance of cross border cooperation with Northern Ireland in the area of sport, particularly in a context where 45 of our National Governing Bodies of Sport operate on an all-island basis.  My officials meet on a regular basis with their counterparts in Northern Ireland, with meetings involving extensive dialogue on topics of mutual interest pertaining to sport.  This level of engagement will continue, as it is an important way to further enhance cross-border links and to facilitate continued cooperation across the range of sport-related matters, including any that may arise following on from the United Kingdom's decision to leave the European Union.  I understand that Sport Ireland and Sport Northern Ireland also enjoy a close working relationship, and my officials will keep abreast of relevant initiatives in cross-border cooperation led by those two bodies, in the context of the Department's regular liaison meetings with Sport Ireland.

  In Northern Ireland, Sport is a matter for the Minister and Department for Communities while Transport and Tourism are matters for the Minister and Department for Economy.  While I have met with my Northern Irish counterpart with regards to issues relating exclusively to sport, I did not have an opportunity for any formal discussions.