Tánaiste urges IRFU to listen to excluded players

The Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has said the Irish Rugby Football Union shoud listen to the voices of those who are most affected by its updated Gender Participation Policy.

The IRFU said the decision was based on medical and scientific evidence and in line with World Rugby guidance, which last year banned transgender women players from competing at the elite level of the women's game.

A statement from the Department of Sport said the policy "recognises the complexity and sensitivity of this area as well as the concerns regarding safety within the sport".

It said it is important that the IRFU is committed to reviewing the matter on a continous basis and working directly with players affected by the policy and "the wider LGBT+ community".

"The emphasis on providing a range of opportunities for all players to remain involved is important too," it said.

It said Government ministers acknowledge "that this is a very complex and sensitive area and many sporting organisations are seeking guidance and support in developing their transgender policies".

"Sport Ireland is working with the sport sector to see how they can best support organisations," it said.

"That work is ongoing and Sport Ireland will continue to offer assistance and guidance to sporting organisations but ultimately it is the sporting organisations themselves that establish the rules and policies for their own sports," it added.

Meanwhile, a legal rights organisation has voiced "serious concerns" with the Irish Rugby Football Union's updated Gender Participation Policy.

Free Legal Advice Centres (FLAC) said the policy may give rise to unlwaful discrimination and serious human rights and equality concerns.

It said the policy "raises a number of concerns in relation to the human