I stand in support of the camogie players in the skort debacle. As a former camogie player at local level, it was often pointed out to me that my heart and lack of fear of the hurley made up for my lack of talent. That is a matter for another day. Skorts are very uncomfortable and restrictive. In this day and age, it is fair gall to tell girls what to wear. Even in primary and secondary girls schools, students have the choice to wear skirts or pants, and rightly so. It is so old-fashioned to try and tell any girl what to wear. I hope that the Camogie Association brings its vote forward. In fairness, it is listening in that it has offered to bring the vote that was not due until 2027 forward to 2026. However, that is still a long time away. We should be encouraging girls who do not feel comfortable. Many girls give up sports because they do not feel comfortable. Everything should be done to give them a choice. I am behind them all the way, especially the Cork players who have decided to wear shorts this coming weekend. I hope they will be allowed to do so.

I am wearing a pair of shorts, not as a fashion statement but in solidarity with the camogie players of Ireland who are simply asking for a choice. I acknowledge the Laois camogie players who are in the Chamber. During their match with Kilkenny on Monday, they took a stand by wearing shorts in protest of the outdated skort rule, just like the Dublin and Kilkenny players the day before, who were told to leave the pitch unless they changed. This is not a new issue. Players first challenged the skort rule in 1959. Some 65 years later, the majority are saying the same thing: skorts are uncomfortable and players want the option to wear shorts, like I have here today. The authorities at Wimbledon made the change, so did beach volleyball and gymnastics. It is time camogie followed suit. One player put it to me like this, when she stated, "We are not asking for much. We are not asking for special treatment. We are just asking for a choice to be treated like equals." Why are we ignoring what the players want? If we truly want to grow camogie, keep young girls in sport and help them feel respected and empowered, we need to listen to them. One in five girls drops out of sport by the age of 14. Are we surprised? I welcome the decision from the Dublin Camogie County Board to the effect that referees will not penalise clubs if players choose to wear skorts or shorts during inter-county games. I call on the Camogie Association to look at the rule now, rather than in 2026. Some 83% of camogie players are not happy wearing skorts. What is happening is not fair. Let us skort this out.