Sinn Féin TD for Louth and spokesperson on Sport, Joanna Byrne, has said that grassroots football must not suffer because of government frustration with the FAI.
Deputy Byrne was speaking after the FAI appeared before the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport this week, where the association declined to discuss specifics of historic abuse cases on Garda advice.
“The hearing was frustrating for all involved,” Deputy Byrne said. “The FAI were invited to appear in response to the ‘Girls in Green’ documentary, but they advised they could not discuss those cases until they are resolved. I tailored my questions accordingly, focusing on safeguarding for men, women and children in football.”
She stressed that “the women who spoke up about the abuses they suffered in the 1990s deserve our full support in their fight for justice. Their needs are paramount and nothing should be done to jeopardise the upcoming criminal cases.”
Looking ahead to Budget 2026, Byrne warned against cutting off funding to grassroots programmes:
“It must be stated strongly now that grassroots football and academies need continued support in the upcoming budget. League of Ireland academies, the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF), and the Sports Capital Grants must all be properly funded for the future of Irish football.”
“Financial supports cannot be withdrawn because the government is annoyed with how the FAI were unable to answer questions at the committee,” she added.
