Irish major sports groups have been warned to hire more women or face funding cuts.
Minister Patrick O’Donovan is seeking new gender quotas which would ensure that one third of all board members are female.
Many sporting organisations such as the GAA, FAI and the IRFU will be forced to comply with the move nicknamed ‘The Bonfire of the Blazers’.
The GAA, FAI and IRFU currently have no female representative’s on their board of directors.
From 2019 onwards, organisations with more than 10 employees will have to ensure that one third of their boards are made up of women.
The rule will also come into force in 2020 for bodies who have fewer than 10 employees.
Former Fianna Fáil Minister Mary O’Rourke is not in agreement with the move stating: ” In general terms I think gender quotas are false.
“I think that they put forward the idea that you should be picked for the role, whatever the role is, based on your sex rather than on the basis that you will be good for the job.”