Oireachtas invite FAI to meeting on safeguarding issues

Updated / Friday, 30 Oct 2026 15:09

The Oireachtas Sports Committee has urged Minister of State for Sport Charlie McConalogue to "intervene" if the FAI does not attend a meeting scheduled for 11 November to discuss the issue of safeguarding within the association.

The FAI's appearance in Leinster House at the end of September was dominated by questions around the Republic of Ireland's controversial UEFA Nations League fixtures against Israel.

However safeguarding was also raised throughout, particulary in relation to the process of garda vetting for coaches and referees involved in all levels of the game.

Ten days after their Oireachtas appearance, the FAI issued a statement saying they were reviewing their safeguarding compliance records after "inconsistencies" were identified in the association's FAI Connect system.

"The association is now undertaking a comprehensive review of safeguarding compliance records," the statement read.

The FAI have stated they are unable to attend before the committee in November.

In response, the Oireachtas committee has urged Mr McConalogue to "intervene", stressing there is "an overriding public interest in the FAI appearing before the committee as soon as possible".

"Serious concerns around safeguarding were raised at a meeting of the committee with the FAI in September and actions were then taken by the FAI as a result of those concerns," said chairperson Deputy Alan Kelly.

"The FAI identified inconsistencies in its FAI Connect system and has since engaged an external party to complete a review of its safeguarding framework.

"The committee welcomes the news that an independent review of its safeguarding framework is being completed. However, given the seriousness of the issues, the need for scrutiny and assurance, and what was brought to light at the previous meeting, the committee is of the view that there is an overriding public interest in the FAI appearing before the committee as soon as possible and before the report of the independent review is produced.

"It is deeply concerning that the FAI will not appear before the committee on the dates offered given the revelations that arose from the last meeting. I am calling on the Minister of State for Sport Charlie McConalogue to intervene if the FAI does not engage with the committee."