Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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1044. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has met with organisations (details supplied) concerning whether matches and training sessions should be cancelled nationwide. [4510/20]

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that fixtures have been postponed and training sessions have been cancelled at all levels across the wide range of sports. The sporting organisations have been exemplary in taking early decisions to suspend competition and training at all levels and in complying with the public health advice and guidance in response to the COVID-19 crisis.

While I have not had direct discussions with the organisations in relation to the cancellation of matches and training, my Department has facilitated contact for sporting organisations with the Chief Medical Officer and the Department of Health, where necessary. Officials in my Department and Sport Ireland are in regular contact with the sporting bodies to disseminate information and respond to any queries which arise.

My Department continues to monitor the situation in terms of the impact of the current public health crisis on sporting organisations and I have established a COVID-19 Sports Monitoring Group where I have been meeting regularly with the key stakeholders, including a number of the organisation referred to by the Deputy, to hear their concerns.

I am pleased that sport has been included in the Government's Roadmap to recovery and officials in my Department and Sport Ireland are working with the sporting bodies to prepare them for the phased return to activity.