FAI request postponement of Oireachtas Committee hearing into alleged abuse in Irish women's football
Abbotstown chiefs were invited to a meeting of the Joint Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport to discuss safeguarding policies and procedures.
It follows last year's RTE/Sunday Independent
The Gardai are currently investigating the allegations, though all those named in the
Committee member Padraig O'Sullivan TD, speaking under Dail privilege, raised concerns about the FAI's handling of it and requested the FAI be invited in.
But the Association has responded asking for more time to prepare materials given the ongoing Garda investigation.
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A statement read: 'The Association has requested that the date be deferred by a period of four weeks to enable adequate preparation time, given the complexity introduced by the Committee seeking material that relates directly to an ongoing Garda investigation.
'The Committee originally sought availability from the Association to discuss 'Safeguarding Policies and Procedures within the FAI'.
'Of the two dates offered the FAI were only available for Wednesday the 9th July due to annual leave for key personnel on the alternative date (Wednesday the 16th July).
'When the formal invite was received on Friday 27th June (8 working days prior to the session) the Committee requested a broad range of documents, many that relate specifically to an ongoing Garda investigation.
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'Given the complexities involved in collating and considering our ability to comply with this request and to enable adequate preparation time we have sought a deferral of four weeks.
'Any disclosure must also be assessed carefully for legal and GDPR compliance given the sensitive and confidential nature of safeguarding information requested.
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'Over the intervening period we will continue to liaise with the Committee to ensure the scope of the session is clearly defined to ensure that no parties could inadvertently compromise an ongoing investigation.
'We fully respect the important work of the Joint Committee and acknowledge the critical oversight role it plays in relation to legislation, policy, governance, expenditure and administration of the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport.
'The FAI is fully committed to engaging constructively with the Committee on this matter and we look forward to them defining a revised date where this session can proceed.'
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FAI people & culture director Aoife Rafferty and chief executive David Courell speaking when the allegations first emerged
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