There was a much stronger case against Ireland fulfilling its forthcoming international soccer fixture with Yugoslavia following the indicting of President Slobodan Milosevic for war crimes, said Mr Joe Costello (Lab). The action taken against the Yugoslav leader had heightened the calls that this State should not participate in this "friendly" international match with a State that had been indicted for war crimes of a most heinous nature. Mr Michael Finneran (FF) said the Minister should be informed on behalf of the House that following the indictment it would be inappropriate for the match to proceed. There was enough evidence to lay charges at least against Mr Milosevic.
The acting leader of the House, Mr John Dardis (PD), said he believed that the principle of separating sport from politics was a good one. He did not want to draw any parallel between Northern Ireland and Yugoslavia, because there was none. But he had been fortunate to referee rugby football for a number of years. "And when the situation was very bad in Northern Ireland we always ensured that these fixtures continued, and I think it is very important that sports people should not be penalised for the atrocities of their political leaders".
Mr Dardis added that he was not saying that he thought this match should go ahead. It was something that should be looked at very carefully.