Arts Minister Catherine Martin has called on Irish dancing chiefs that those behind the cheating scandal that has rocked the Irish dancing world will be held to account.
Ms Martin said that families need assurances that competitions celebrating our “cherished cultural heritage” will be run fairly.
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has also intervened and said that a “full and thorough” investigation must be carried out.
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The allegations are that competitions were ‘fixed’ and that judges may have taken bribes. The body behind organising the world’s biggest competitions, Comisiún Le Rincí Gaelacha (CLRG), has appointed a former High Court judge to investigate the allegations.
Meanwhile, speaking at the launch of the Arts Council’s new dance policy, Ms Martin said: “Firstly to state that the department and its agencies have no regulatory or funding or accreditation role when it comes to these bodies or their competitions.
“But obviously as Minister for Arts, the very least we expect for children and young people is that they be treated fairly in competitions, but, even more importantly, that it is made clear they have full confidence they are being treated fairly, because Irish dancing you have to remember is an integral part of our cultural heritage.
“It is celebrated, not only at home, but it’s much cherished in Irish communities across the world. So, I welcome the fact that we have a retired Irish judge investigating these matters, I think that’s really important and I will also be writing to the organisation involved to seek assurances that they are taking every step necessary to restore confidence for families right across the world.”
Tánaiste Varadkar was asked if this scandal could damage the reputation of a most cherished Irish cultural heritage, and he told reporters: “Well, potentially it does.
“And that’s one of the reasons why it needs to be fully and thoroughly investigated so we can find out what the facts are and if people have been engaged in any wrongdoing that they are held to account.
“But yes, you’re right, potentially it could cause reputational harm, but the solution is not to cover it up, it’s to deal with it, to investigate it properly and to hold people to account.”
A spokesman for CLRG said: “Such unethical behaviour cannot and will not be tolerated by this organisation.”
The spokesman added: “An Comisiún regards such breaches to be gross misconduct.
“Any registered member found to be engaged in such practices will be subject to due and full process under our published disciplinary procedures.”
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