The Gaelic Athletic Association today pledged to co-operate with a review of NI government funding to clubs named after dead paramilitaries.
Sports minister Nelson McCausland has asked Sport NI to look again at regulations that have thus far enabled teams playing under the name of IRA members to obtain grants. The DUP representative said there was no place in sport for the naming of clubs, grounds or competitions after terrorists.
The GAA said it would respond to any consultation process on proposed changes to funding clauses. A spokesman said he was confident that all the association's clubs were in compliance with current regulations.
"The GAA is by rule a strictly non-party political, anti-racist and anti-sectarian organisation; it also has a long established publicly stated anti-violence policy," he said. "It is noted that the Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure has instructed Sport NI to conduct a review of the current clauses and policies in relation to sports club funding.
"The GAA is compliant with all public funding requirements and is confident that in all instances its units are also fully compliant in this regard," he said. "The GAA will further respond to any consultation process on changes to public funding regulations which meet Section 75 (equality legislation) requirements."
The association is currently investigating a hunger strike commemoration at a club in Galbally, Co Tyrone last month, after photos of people dressed in balaclavas carrying replica weapons were placed on the internet.
Sinn Féin disputes whether those individuals were connected to the club.
PA