Minister of State for Sport, Michael Ring has implored all sides to take a step backwards in the increasingly bitter dispute over the resignation of Billy Walsh as head coach of Irish boxing's High Performance Unit.
After a series of statements and counter-statements from the Irish Amateur Boxing Association and Sport Ireland, the Minister says that it is time for "cool heads from all parties" and to focus on what is best for the boxers.
Minister Ring says that he wants to sit down with Sport Ireland and the IABA as soon as possible to try and find a resolution to the dispute.
In a statement on the Department of Tourism, Transport and Sport website, Ring said: "Nobody wanted Billy to leave but he is gone now and it is time for us to re-group and all work together. We can only do that if everyone takes a deep breath and cools down. There has been a lot of intense discussion over the last few days, primarily due to the love people have for the sport and their interest in its future. I am aware that Sport Ireland and the IABA have both put their positions on the record in recent days about what has happened. For the sake of Irish boxing, at all levels, I believe that everyone should now focus on what’s ahead and what is best for our athletes. Adding fuel to the fire by continuing the discussion over the airwaves is not helpful at this point.
"I propose to sit down with Sport Ireland and the Irish Amateur Boxing Association as soon as possible, with a view to moving forward in a spirit of cooperation. I am happy to make myself available to both sides and to listen to what they have to say. Boxers and coaches at all levels need to set this distraction behind them as we head into 2016 and the Rio Games. We are exceptionally proud of the success story of Irish boxing to date and I know that the future is bright and that we can look forward with confidence to further success in the future. We can only do that by all working together."
Earlier, the Joint Committee on Tourism, Transport and Sport confirmed that both bodies will be questioned by their members next week.
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