Parties unite to Show Racism the Red Card

Leaders of Ireland’s political parties and sporting personalities on the last day of Bertie Ahern as An Taoiseach at Dail Eireann, joined together to Show Racism the Red Card. Show Racism the Red Card were launching a campaign to secure funding for its continued work.Pictured left to right: Dessie Farrell (Gaelic Players Association), Bertie Ahern (An Taoiseach), Conor Lenihan (Minister for Integration), Stephen Mc Guinness (Gen Sec PFAI), Niall Woods (Irish Rugby Union Players Association).The campaign, which enjoys cross party support uses the profile of sports stars and their players associations for anti-racism education, a campaign which has already had a huge impact in Ireland and overseas. Show Racism the Red Card received government funding in 2007, but unfortunately this funding has now ended. Patrons of the project were present to support the request for continued funding to allow the project to carry out direct work within schools, national governing bodies of sport and the immigrant community to address racism and promote integration.In attendance were : An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern T.D., Mr Dessie Farrell (Chief Executive Officer Gaelic Players Association), Mr Niall Woods (Chief Executive Officer Irish Rugby Union Players Association), Mr Stephen Mc Guinness (General Secretary Professional Footballers Association of Ireland), Mr Des Tomlinson (FAI Intercultural Co-ordinator), Mr Will Clarke (FAI Community Development Officer), Mr Garrett Mullan (Show Racism The Red Card Co-ordinator).Also in attendance were: Mr Enda Kenny (Fine Gael), Mary White (Green Party), Mr Eamon Gilmore (Labour), Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Sinn Fein), Ciaran Cannon (Progressive Democrats).