Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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110. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views regarding the formation of an all-island Irish soccer team. [33259/21]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) and the Irish Football Association (IFA) are the respective Governing Bodies for football on the island. They are independent, autonomous bodies and any proposals regarding an all-island international football team would be a matter for those two organisations. 

The organisation of sport on an all-island basis has worked very successfully for a number of sports, most notably in the case of rugby and hockey. I am very supportive of cross-border sporting initiatives and collaborations between sporting organisations.  Such approaches have excellent potential to enhance relationships on both parts of the island of Ireland.

While any proposal regarding an all-island football team would be a matter for the two organisations, I would welcome any discussions that the FAI and IFA might have on a shared island basis and if the organisations were to bring forward any such proposals, my Department and Sport Ireland would be happy to assist and advise them as appropriate.