GAA national leagues
Senator Lombard says the national leagues should not proceed during the pandemic because of unnecessary travel and risk of off-pitch spread. Senators Craughwell and Boylan then press that the Mother and Baby Homes Bill should not be passed before survivors are heard.
Many Senators have mentioned the GAA and the national league. We really need to discuss the matter. I do not see a need for national leagues at the moment because there is no logic in players travelling, for example, from Kerry to Monaghan and Cavan to Kildare. We need to look at what we are trying to do.
As much as the GAA can control what happens on the pitch, it cannot control what happens off the pitch. We saw that in my county in the last few weeks after a county final. I worry about such scenarios and so appeal to the GAA to step back from the issue and realise that the national leagues do not need to happen. As a GAA supporter, and without being rude to the national leagues, they are not the most important part of the GAA calendar. At a later stage we can assess whether the All-Ireland series should go ahead. For now, I urge the GAA to step back from the abyss and cancel the national league games this weekend.
Comment on this
I will not need a minute as Senator Craughwell has covered all bases. I was also going to second his proposal.
I take the opportunity to ask Members of the House that before we debate the Commission of Investigation (Mother and Baby Homes and certain related Matters) Records, and another Matter, Bill 2020 this afternoon that they go outside to the front of this House and meet some of the survivors. They are standing outside and ask this House not to pass the Bill, not to put their documents away and not to prevent them from having their testimonies and information.
Comment on this
I ask Members to go outside and explain to the survivors - to their faces - why they are going to seal their documents away for 30 years.