GAA vow to co-operate with funding review
The Gaelic Athletic Association today pledged to co-operate with a review of the North's government funding to clubs named after dead paramilitaries.
Sports minister Nelson McCausland has asked delivery body Sport NI to look again at regulations that have thus far enabled teams playing under the name of IRA men to obtain grants.
The DUP representative said there was no place in sport for the naming of clubs, grounds or competitions after terrorists.
The GAA said it would respond to any consultation process on proposed changes to funding clauses.
A spokesman said he was confident that all the association's clubs were in compliance with current regulations.
"The GAA is by rule a strictly non-party political, anti-racist and anti-sectarian organisation," he said. "It also has a long-established publicly-stated anti-violence policy.
"It is noted that the Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure has instructed Sport NI to conduct a review of the current clauses and policies in relation to sports club funding.
"The GAA is compliant with all public funding requirements and is confident that in all instances its units are also fully compliant in this regard.
"The GAA will further respond to any consultation process on changes to public funding regulations which meet Section 75 (equality legislation) requirements."
The association is currently investigating a hunger strike commemoration at a club in Galbally, Co Tyrone last month, after photos of people dressed in balaclavas carrying replica weapons were placed on the internet.
Sinn Féin disputes whether those individuals were connected to the club.
The Sports minister outlined the Sports NI review in response to an Assembly question from party colleague Mervyn Storey.
"Sport NI funding programmes have an equality clause as a standard condition of their grants Sport NI may suspend, reduce or stop payments or reclaim the grant in full if this clause is breached," he said.
"Whilst not constituting a breach of this clause, I believe there is no place in sport for the naming of clubs, grounds and/or competitions after deceased terrorists and this practice is certainly not in keeping with the promotion of good relations as required under the equality legislation."
The minister added: "I have asked officials to review the equity clause in the current terms and conditions and to advise if changes should be considered.
"Any change should reflect that sport makes an important contribution to a shared and better future, one in which terrorism and sport cannot be mixed."
