Vol. 523 No. 4
15 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if he will make a statement on his visit to the Olympic Games; if he has satisfied himself with the performance of the Irish squad; and if he has further satisfied himself that the funding for Irish Olympic participants is adequate and the funding is allocated in the most cost effective way possible. [21105/00]
21 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the extent to which he believes the unsatisfactory relationship between his Department and the Olympic Council of Ireland impacted on the performance of Irish athletes at the Sydney Olympics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21120/00]
25 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if he will make any changes in sporting and recreational structures including financial support with a view to enhancing Ireland's chances in the next Olympics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20999/00]
26 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the plans he has to improve relations between his Department, the Olympic Council of Ireland, the Athletics Association of Ireland, and the Irish Sports Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21121/00]
39 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the contacts this year between his Department and the Olympic Council of Ireland; the purpose and outcome of all such meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21118/00]
40 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the plans he has to improve the relationship between his Department and the Olympic Council of Ireland having regard to the recent series of disputes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21109/00]
43 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the way in which the issue of accreditation for himself and his party to attend the Sydney Olympics was ultimately resolved; and the measures which can be put in place to avoid a repetition of the difficulties and other Olympic related issues for the future. [21170/00]
224 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if he will draw up a strategic plan for Ireland's participation in the next Olympics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21374/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 15, 21, 25, 26, 39, 40, 43 and 224 together.
In the first instance, I congratulate the members of the Irish team who reached the various qualifying standards which entitled them to represent us at the Olympic Games. As Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation, I was delighted to be in the stadium to witness an outstanding performance by Sonia O'Sullivan in winning the silver medal in the 5,000 metres. In addition, there were many other fine performances by our team which included the setting of new Irish records and the achievement of new personal bests.
There is no doubt, however, that in spite of their best efforts the under performance of many of Ireland's competitors in Sydney was a source of disappointment, particularly to the athletes themselves who made so many sacrifices during the past three and a half years to qualify for the games. In the light of the substantially increased investment in structural and financial support for sport in recent years, it is a matter of particular importance that these resources are spent in a manner that assists our athletes to achieve their full potential when performing at the Olympics and other major international events.
I have already asked the Irish Sports Council to carry out an in-depth review of the supports, programmes and schemes currently in place to establish how they can be best implemented to ensure a much improved performance in the next three to four years. It is intended that the review will include the National Coaching and Training Centre, the 28 national governing bodies of sport affiliated to the Olympic movement, the Olympic Council of Ireland, coaches and competitors, all of whom will be asked to contribute on the basis of their expertise and experience of these and previous Olympics.
While I have had differences with the Olympic Council of Ireland in the past, as far as I am concerned, I ensured that our relationship was not an issue in Sydney and would not impinge on our athletes during the games.
As the House is aware, I was for several months in the lead up to this year's Olympic Games, in contact with the Olympic Council of Ireland and the relevant athletics organisation urging the resolution of their difficulties in relation to the gear to be worn by Ireland's athletes in Sydney. The matter was satisfactorily settled in June last. Subsequently, in the days preceding the games, I sought accreditation for attendance at the games in respect of a ministerial delegation of three, on the assumption that the chief executive of the Irish Sports Council, John Treacy, would receive accreditation in his own right. When this did not materialise, I arranged for one of the three ministerial delegation accreditations to issue to Mr. Treacy so that the Irish Sports Council could be formally represented.
Additional information.
The question of accreditation for attendance at future Olympic Games remains a matter for the International Olympic Council and the Olympic Council of Ireland.
As regards relations with the Olympic Council of Ireland and the Athletics Association of Ireland, my Department and the Sports Council will continue to discharge their respective responsibilities in a fair and even handed manner, with the interests of Irish sport always to the fore. I hope that notwithstanding difficulties in the past, and learning from the experience of Sydney 2000, all our sports bodies can now go on to work effectively, efficiently and professionally together, for the advancement of Irish athletics.
Recent developments such as the launch of the Sport's Council's three year development strategy for Irish sport; creation of a strong new governing body for Irish athletics; and the major investment recently announced for Morton Stadium, together create the potential for a new exciting era in Irish athletics. I hope the outcome of the review of Ireland's performance at the recent Olympics already referred to, will ensure that we are well on the way to realising that potential by Athens 2004.
How much funding has been allocated to the OCI in the past three years? How many OCI members and their entourages travelled to the Olympic Games and how much did this cost in terms of public funding? Will the Minister consider withdrawing funding from the OCI until those responsible for running it come to their senses and start talking to the people who are of greatest importance, namely, the athletes? The OCI should not shame us again in the way it has done during the past three Olympic Games. There should not be a recurrence of the recent events we witnessed in Sydney. Will the Minister withdraw public funding from the OCI until it enters discussions?
The amount of money given to the Olympic disciplines was just over £3 million. In addition, the Exchequer provided money for all of the training camps, pre-games training camps and accommodation and this amounted to £250,000. There was also a sum of £1.162 million given to the athletes themselves in direct grant aid.
As already stated, an unseemly row has developed with one central figure. I assure the Deputy that I will do everything possible to further the best interests of sport. I also assure her that I will not turn a blind eye to events I witnessed in Sydney which have been part and parcel of the Olympic movement's behaviour under its current leadership in recent years. Certain recommendations—
The time for this question is concluded. We must move on.
—have been brought forward in light of criticisms made on radio programmes. I would be very—
I ask the Minister to resume his seat.
How many members of the OCI travelled to Sydney?
A total of 17.
Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate.
