Board vacancies and GAA rights
Senator Craughwell asked for the Transport Minister to return because board vacancies remain unfilled, then warned Brexit was approaching quickly and called for a dedicated Brexit Minister. He finished by questioning whether the Oireachtas should have input into the GAA’s sale of championship viewing rights.
The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport was in the House yesterday. There are over 40 board appointments remaining vacant in the State, particularly in the area of harbours, etc. The Minister must be invited back to the House as I do not believe sufficient time was made available yesterday for people to discuss the issues with him. I ask the Leader to try and organise this as a matter of urgency.
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The Minister answered those points yesterday.
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Senator Leyden made reference to the COSAC meeting in Bratislava that he and I attended recently. The closer we get to Brexit the more concerned I get. I am very much aware of the work being done by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and by the Taoiseach. I am not so sure the rest of Europe is as concerned or as rapid and advanced in their preparations. It is regrettable that Ireland does not have a dedicated Minister for Brexit. We constantly talk about our relationship with Britain. I do not have a concern about our relationship with Britain but I have a concern about the other 26 member states and how they might look upon the Border, how they might want the Border to be closed and how they might want to dictate to us how things would be done. The Germans at the COSAC meeting were clear that they wanted no bilateral discussions whatsoever. They want all discussion to be done in a joint fashion through the European Union. As the Leader knows well, Ireland does not have a seat at that table when it comes to negotiations. It is regrettable that we do not have a Minister with responsibility for Brexit.
I understand that Galway, Mayo, Sligo and Kerry county boards have passed a motion condemning the GAA for selling the rights to some of the championship matches to Sky broadcasting. Senators in this House are very much aware of how difficult it is to get tickets for an all-Ireland final.
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-----moneys that the Oireachtas has made available to the GAA-----
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-----I believe we should have some input into its decision to sell the viewing rights of championship matches and perhaps the Leader might find some time to debate that issue.