Shane Cassells (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for outlining the huge scope of work he does in funding our sports organisation. I refer not just to the pillar sports, but to all sports. He has shown great commitment in this regard, especially in showing that so-called "minority" sports are receiving their fair share and the support they so desperately need. I highlight as well all the work he is doing in the area of reform and inclusiveness. This has also been notable, and the Minister of State has made it a hallmark of his tenure in his role, as it also was, indeed, when his predecessor, the Minister of State, Deputy Chambers, held the portfolio.

The Minister of State, Deputy Byrne, has made it a firm objective to make "sport for all" a reality and not just a catchphrase. It is something that now has meaning across gender, age, ability, disability and social circumstances. I say this because sport is the great leveller, the great vehicle through which people fulfil their abilities and through which doors can be opened. Briefly, on this topic of sport for all and inclusiveness, there is something that should really be celebrated on this island, namely, our success in being named as a joint host of the Euro 2028 championships. It will be in conjunction with the Irish Football Association and its Scottish, Welsh and English equivalents.

The two venues that will be used on this island will be the Aviva Stadium here in the Republic, and Casement Park in Belfast. Frankly, the noise generated in recent weeks in Northern Ireland regarding the use of Casement Park is dangerous to the very hosting of Euro 2028, and it is depressing. Last night, it was depressing to see the Kop end in Windsor Park festooned in banners emblazoned with "No to Casement". It was especially depressing on a good night for Irish football - something rare on both parts of this island - as Northern Ireland beat Denmark by two goals to nil.

I praise the CEO of the Irish Football Association, Patrick Nelson, for his comments made last Thursday. He said, "This is a pivotal moment for football and society", and he is so right about this. I say this because, unfortunately, it is never just about football in the North; it is societal. Fair play to Patrick Nelson for saying it. This €150 million stadium will add to the fine facilities already in situ in Windsor Park and Ravenhill Stadium, both of which were substantially funded by the British Government. Yes, Casement Park will be a GAA headquarters for Ulster Gaelic football when the Euro 2028 championships are over, but the GAA is as entitled to this support in the North from the British Government as were the IFA and the IRFU. The GAA is the largest association on this island and one whose members were subjected to horrendous intimidation during the Troubles. This did not just come from paramilitary organisations, but also from the very British forces that were on the streets. Quite frankly, uneducated interventions over the past couple of weeks are not helpful. People who should know better should button it.

I refer to interventions from people like the former goalkeeper for Shamrock Rovers and Northern Ireland, Alan Mannus, who stated the use of Casement Park as a venue is far from helpful. When he spoke about this matter and the benefit to football, though, he said he had not done enough research to know if this was the case. Well, you know what you can do if you have not done the research. The irony here is that the ground out in Tallaght Stadium where Alan plied his trade with distinction for many years was entirely funded by this State and, indeed, controversially, the GAA was kept out. The word "No" needs to be removed from the lexicon of the North. There should be no more "No to Casement". Let us move on and build that stadium and enjoy the Euro 2028 championships on this island as a whole. As I said, the investment in Casement Park by the British Government, and hopefully too by this Government, is as much deserved as the funding that went to Windsor Park and Ravenhill Stadium. I urge Gary McAllister and the Amalgamation of Official Northern Ireland Supporters Clubs to embrace this announcement for Northern Ireland. They should see this as a good news story before it turns into a scenario where football only comes home to 50% of this island.

Moving closer to home, and it does not get much better than this, I raised with the Minister of State last week the issue of the suspension of State funding for the Football Association of Ireland and the ongoing controversy at that body. What is the Minister of State's up-to-date position, given the story from Mark Tighe published in the Sunday Independent over the weekend?