Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

238. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has discussed the level of representation of women on national boards with the various sporting organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31898/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

​On 16 December 2016, I held a meeting with representatives of approximately 50 National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGBs) in relation to the issue of Women in Sport Leadership, particularly the representation of women on their boards.  There was a general consensus at this meeting that sports bodies should aim for increased gender balance on their boards, but that the introduction of mandatory gender quotas and punitive financial measures for non-compliance would not be feasible or appropriate.

Immediately prior to this meeting, Sport Ireland also wrote to all NGBs inviting submissions on the issue of Women in Sports Leadership. 47 submissions were received and these have been published on my Department's website. Overall, I consider that the meeting last December and the subsequent written engagement with the NGBs has generated a most useful debate in Irish sporting circles.

The issue of Women in Sports Leadership will be addressed in the upcoming National Sports Policy which I hope to publish in early autumn.