HC Deb 15 February 1977 vol 926 cc166-7W
Mr. McCusker

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will stop the grants of financial aid to the Gaelic Athletic Association until it ceases to ban from its membership all members of the British Army, the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy, the Ulster Defence Regiment, the Royal Ulster Constabulary and the Royal Ulster Constabulary Reserve.

Mr. Carter

No. The Gaelic Athletic Association appears to satisfy present conditions under the Recreation and Youth Service (Northern Ireland) Order 1973 relating to all voluntary sporting organisations. Since, however, it chooses to restrict its membership it is, like all voluntary bodies which wish to restrict their memberships, eligible for a lower rate of grant than voluntary organisations with completely open membership.