Football bill hits back of net in Dáil

The Government has announced it would support Labour’s bill that would see a major investment into Irish football.

Labour’s bill received support from Government parties and opposition parties alike, with a wide range of TDs from Fine Gael, Sinn Féin, Social Democrats and Rural Independents voicing their support for the bill and its recommendations.

The bill, heavily championed by Dublin Bay North TD Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, saw TDs of all stripes discuss their own personal relationship to football and the effect the sport has had in their local communities.

The upcoming Women’s World Cup dominated the conversation, and Ireland’s past glories at Italia 90 were invoked as the TDs hashed out the merits of backing the bill.

Fine Gael TD Frank Feighan said that football in Ireland “needs to get its act together” and should “be like the GAA,” while Fianna Fáil TD Thomas Byrne said that Government will not oppose Labour’s “ambitious” bill.

The proposal calls for €863 million to be invested into Irish football over 15 years, with the FAI believing this figure is what is needed to bring Irish football up to the standard of other European nations.

Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan spoke of participating in football as a young man helping instill discipline into him, while People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett remarked that Ireland is “at the bottom of the league table” when it comes to football investment.

Deputy O’Callaghan recalled a recent incident in his constituency where a parent went to see their child play, but found that their wheelchair could not navigate the grass.

O’Callaghan said that he would support the bill as he sees it as a “societal improvement” as opposed to a sporting one.

The Social Democrats TD pointed to a similar funding model that has been carried out in Iceland in what is referred to as the “Icelandic model” among football analysts but said “there is no reason this can’t be called the East Wall model in time to come.”

Tipperary TD Michael Lowry said that football is played in every city and village in the country, and is an integral part of communities up and down the country.

Sinn Féin TD Chris Andrews stated that as it stands, the sports capital grant programme had to be reformed and was “weighed against working-class community clubs and it benefits more affluent clubs.”

Andrews pointed out that there is no 11-a-side pitch in County Wexford, and stories of inadequate facilities dominated the proceedings in the Dáil this morning.

Minister for Sport Catherine Martin said she supports an increase in the betting levy that could, in turn, be used to increase funding for sport but noted it would be a matter for the exchequer as opposed to her department.

The Minister said it was understood that money raised from the betting levy goes into the “general exchequer funds” rather than being ringfenced for particular purposes.

“I would of course support any measures such as an increase in the betting levy, which could in turn feed to increase funding for sport more generally,” she said.