Sports Council

Oral Answers to Questions — Northern Ireland – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 14 April 1983.

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Photo of Mr Nicholas Scott Mr Nicholas Scott , Kensington and Chelsea Chelsea

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has not met the Northern Ireland Sports Council, but I have met the council twice in the past three months.

Photo of Mr Michael Brotherton Mr Michael Brotherton , Louth Borough

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind that the manager of the forthcoming Lions tour is Willie John McBride, who was captain of the highly successful Lions tour of South Africa a few years ago, and that the captain of the forthcoming Lions tour of New Zealand is from the Republic of Ireland? Therefore, will he bear in mind that it is possible for people from Northern Ireland and the Republic to work perfectly peacefully together, as will be the case peaceably on this forthcoming tour?

Photo of Mr Nicholas Scott Mr Nicholas Scott , Kensington and Chelsea Chelsea

I am delighted with that. I wish the Lions well on their tour and also their manager and captain. Although I can take no direct pride in it, I share Ireland's delight that members from both the North and the South have, in successive seasons, won the triple crown and the joint championship.

Photo of Mr John Biggs-Davison Mr John Biggs-Davison , Epping Forest

How are we getting on with persuading the Gaelic Athletic Association, which receives grants from the Sports Council, to end its ban on members of the armed forces and the police from becoming members of the Gaelic Athletic Association and taking part in those sports which are a proper part of the life of Northern Ireland?

Photo of Mr Nicholas Scott Mr Nicholas Scott , Kensington and Chelsea Chelsea

It is a matter of profound regret to me that the Gaelic Athletic Association has not seen fit to review that rule.