Statement on issues relating to Rowing Ireland

Patrick O’Donovan TD, Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, and Charlie McConalogue TD, Minister of State for Sport and Postal Policy, and the Department have closely followed the media reporting on issues relating to Rowing Ireland, including discussions ongoing at the Joint Oireachtas Committee today.

Safeguarding of athletes at all levels of sport is a shared responsibility and it is clear that there are lessons to be learned from the issues that have arisen in Rowing Ireland’s handling of the process. These lessons could be applied more generally across sport.

While we look forward to the Committee’s report on this matter, the Ministers are of the view that an independent review of the process, procedures and timelines relating to the rowing issues discussed could be helpful. Such a review could also consider how the Irish sports system response to issues such as this can be strengthened.

The Ministers have asked the Department to develop terms of reference for such a review and to kickstart a focused review process in a timely manner.

Recommendations arising from this review could then be actioned and embedded in Ireland’s overall sports governance and administration framework, including in the context of the next 10-year National Sports Policy which is currently commencing development.

ENDS