§ 16. Mr. Peter Robinsonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much has been paid to the Gaelic Athletic Association in each of the past three years.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Mr. Nicholas Scott)The Sports Council for Northern Ireland has made grants of £13,000, £9,000 and £6,000 to the Gaelic Athletic Association over the past three years.
§ Mr. RobinsonIn view of the fact that, overall, about £6,000 has been given to the GAA, a body that discriminates against the security forces, will the Minister say what legal or moral justification there can be for giving money to such a body?
§ Mr. ScottGrants to voluntary sporting bodies in Northern Ireland with an open membership run at 50 per cent. of approved costs. For those that restrict their membership in any way it is 33⅓ per cent., and that covers the GAA.
§ Mr. FittDoes the Minister accept that the Gaelic Athletic Association is representative of the minority community in Northern Ireland? If the Government can see fit to give money—and a lot of money—to the Linfield football club for it to build a new stand, is it not just as well that they should give money to the other side?
§ Mr. ScottPerhaps I should make it clear in the first place that no money has gone to the Linfield football club to build a new stand. Secondly, I recognise, of course, the role of the GAA in supplying sport for the minority tradition. On the other hand, I still find repugnant rule 15 of that association.