Paul Rouse: Irish access to sport is too dependent on social class

In studies from the ESRI to Sport Ireland to the CSO, this influence of class is revealed time and again.

The Irish Association of Former Parliamentarians held their 9th Annual Seminar in the Seanad Chamber in Leinster House earlier this month. The seminar was opened by Association president Mary Flaherty and chaired by former member Nora Owen. Picture: Maxwell’s

This month, the Irish Association of Former Parliamentarians organised a day-long seminar in the chamber of the Seanad. Its title was “The Challenges and Opportunities of a Multicultural Society”.

One of the themes of the seminar related to sport and I was invited to discuss the role of sport in contemporary Ireland.