Minister Calls For United Ireland FA

Mr. Ahern was speaking at the annual banquet of the eircom/Soccer Writers' Association of Ireland in Dundalk and said: “I believe the time is now right for both football organisations to sit down together for serious discussions on the basis that together they can achieve so much more than remaining apart.

“When they balance the pros and cons of having one all-island football organisation, the ledger will, I believe, come down heavily on a harmonious coming together of two noble Irish football traditions and organisations”

The Football Association of Ireland issued the following in response to the Minister's speech:


Statement

There is already a very high degree of positive co-operation between the Football Association of Ireland and the Irish Football Association and it is growing year by year.

We are already in the third year of the Setanta Sports Cup which is an All-Ireland club competition that expanded from six to eight teams last year and is a huge success.

The respective executive teams from the FAI and the IFA meet regularly to discuss a wide range of areas of mutual interest.

At UEFA level the two associations collaborate for the good of Irish football and we continually assess, with our colleagues in the IFA, every relevant issue that impacts on football on both sides of the border.

The FAI intends continuing to strengthen the co-operation and development links that are already established with the IFA.