Green Party Minister Catherine Martin has welcomed plans by the Irish Athletic Boxing Association (IABA) to reconsider the use of the National Stadium by Christian groups opposed to aspects of the new Social Personal and Health (SPHE) curriculum, including gender ideology. The move is being seen by many Christians as an attempt to crack down on opposition to the State programme.

The probe follows an “SPHE information evening” held at the stadium. It was organised by Christian Voice Ireland, a coalition of Evangelical Christian groups and churches. A similar event was held at the stadium in July, but this time activists contacted the IABA to protest against the event.

The use of the stadium for the event was questioned by far-left TD Mick Barry, who asked whether the IABA are “not concerned that their own Diversity and Inclusion Policy, which includes LGBTQ people, is being breached by hiring the hall out to this particular church?”

In a statement to The Journal, a spokesperson for the IABA said the event did not reflect its views and confirmed that it would investigate the use of the stadium.

Minister Martin – whose department holds the sports brief – welcomed the association’s review of how the stadium was used.

“They weren’t aware of the exact use of it and I’m glad that they have said that they’d keep a much closer eye on their leasing arrangements,” she said in response to questions from The Journal.

“I think that is welcome.”