The Minister of State for Sport and Physical Activity, Thomas Byrne represented Ireland at the EU Sports Council meeting on 24 November in Brussels.

Ministers at the Council approved Council conclusions on the issue of ensuring equality for women in sport.

The Council has now called on member states to act in order to:

  • increase the proportion of women in sports leadership positions
  • promote wider and stereotype-free media coverage of women’s sports competitions
  • prevent and combat harassment, sexual abuse and violence at all levels
  • better protect witnesses and victims of gender-based violence
  • consider the gender perspective in sports infrastructure and facilities

The Commission is being asked to include the sports sector in its gender equality strategies and to continue supporting awareness-raising throughout the EU.

Similarly, the sports movement should promote equal funding opportunities and incorporate the gender equality perspective in sports governance, including gender budgeting.

Ireland has been to the fore in these areas, as we have witnessed through membership of the Olympic Federation of Ireland’s Gender Equality Commission and working with eight other European member states in this area.

Moving it higher up the European legislative agenda is an important next stage in turning it from aspiration to implementation.

The council also held two policy debates on combating hate speech in sport as well as considering the challenge of ensuring a safe environment in sport, where there will be a particular focus on such areas as the importance of having fit-for-purpose, well designed and maintained sports facilities and undertaking effective health and safety monitoring of athletes.

Logistics such as crowd management and security were also expected to feature in the debate.

Ministers exchanged best practices at a national level and measures taken to promote safe environments in sport. They focused on planning, design and management of safe sports infrastructure and facilities, but also on promoting an emotionally safe environment.

Several ministers referred to sports-related violence, including such violence outside the playing field, and ways to promote a sports sector free from sexual violence and harassment. Member states presented their zero-tolerance measures that provide for safe environment. They also exchanged information about possible measures coordinated at the European level that could guarantee a safer environment.

“The agenda for this Council meeting contained many items that are high priorities for me as Minister,” said Minister Byrne.

“In Ireland, we are investing record levels of State funding to achieve progress in the area of gender equality in sport. It is vitally important that we have a shared sense of purpose in this area to reflect the international nature of sport. ”