Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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236. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she has engaged with an organisation (details supplied) in relation to the latest announcements from Japan stating its concentration and committed efforts to ensure the occurrence of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo in 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5626/21]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The Minister Deputy Martin and I have had, and will continue to have, regular, ongoing engagement with the sports sector as a whole, including with the organisation referred to by the Deputy. 

In addition to direct engagement with Sport Ireland, the statutory agency for the development of sport in Ireland, I am also aware that the organisation in question is in regular contact with the Department of Foreign Affairs to exchange information concerning the status of preparations for the Olympic and Paralympic Games in both Japan and Ireland. This organisation also participates in regular meetings of the Sports Monitoring Group, which I chair, and which met most recently last Thursday, 28 January 2021. During that meeting, I received a comprehensive briefing from the OFI delegation on the current state of play in relation to preparations for the Games, which I am pleased to say indicate a positive disposition and expectation of the Japanese authorities towards the Games proceeding, albeit under different conditions to previous Games.  I am satisfied that the coordination arrangements in place comprehensively address the important task of ensuring effective preparation of Team Ireland for the upcoming Games.

I am pleased that the Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic Games, the Japanese Government and the International Olympic Committee all remain steadfast in their commitment to the hosting of successful Games this summer. The past year has been very challenging for our high performance athletes and coaches and I would like to assure them that the Government and Sport Ireland will do everything we can to support them as they strive to achieve success in Tokyo.

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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237. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her Department has engaged with the Government of Japan to ensure the safety of the Irish Olympic team if the team is to travel in summer 2021 to participate in the planned Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5627/21]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department maintains regular contact with the Department of Foreign Affairs, including with representatives of our diplomatic representation in Japan, in relation to the upcoming Games. Direct engagement with the Japanese authorities is pursued through Ireland's diplomatic representation in Japan. The safety of the Irish Olympic and Paralympic teams is of paramount importance. The Deputy can be assured that all necessary measures will be taken, and contacts maintained, to ensure that they can participate safely and to the best of their abilities.

The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic Games, the Japanese Government, the International Olympic Committee and the International Paralympic Committee all remain steadfast in their commitment to hosting the Games this summer. On behalf of our Government, I wish the Government of Japan every success for the Games. While there are challenges, we are confident that these can be overcome. We are firmly behind Team Ireland and my Department and Sport Ireland will do everything we can to support their preparations in the months ahead. I am looking forward to seeing our athletes proudly representing Ireland, and hopefully reaching the podium in Tokyo.