Denise Mitchell (Dublin Bay North, Sinn Fein)
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1077. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has met with representatives of organisations (details supplied) to specifically discuss the protection of clubs and the league due to the impact of Covid-19 on club operations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6840/20]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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I am acutely aware of the difficulties and challenges facing sporting organisations. A COVID-19 Sports Monitoring Group, chaired at Ministerial level, has been established to engage directly with the sporting bodies. Four meetings of this Group have been held to date. The Football Association of Ireland has participated in all of these meetings. Sport Ireland is also directly engaging with the sporting bodies on an ongoing basis in relation to the development of protocols to facilitate a safe return to training and competition.

This extensive engagement with the sport sector has highlighted the significant, adverse impact of COVID-19 and the importance of implementing an appropriate and focused response to the challenges facing all strands of the sector, ranging from the local sporting organisations and clubs to the National Governing Bodies and national leagues and competitions. It is accordingly intended to develop a Sport Recovery Action Plan, in consultation with the sector, aimed at minimising the impacts and preparing the sector to restart activity, as part of the national recovery and renewal.