asked the Minister for Education the current proposals to provide a national cycle track in the Dublin area.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - National Cycle Track.
7.
I have recently appointed under the auspices of Cospóir, the National Sports Council, a committee to examine the requirements of a national sports centre. The committee's terms of reference are: (a) possible locations; (b) area required for indoor and outdoor sport; (c) facilities, multi-purpose and otherwise, to be provided over five year and ten year spans on a priority basis; (d) estimates of costings.
Other aspects to be considered are: (a) integration with existing facilities; (b) access provision; (c) whether the centre would be spectator-oriented, community-based and/or elite; (d) priority building that is, indoor or outdoor.
The committee met for the first time on 8 November 1985 and in pursuance of their objectives they invited submissions from interested bodies. The committee are also undertaking research on the views of national govering bodies on the matter. The committee are open to suggestions from all sources and having duly considered all aspects of the matter, will report to me regarding their recommendations.
The views of the Irish Cycling Federation and the National Cycling Association have been received and their recommendations include the provision of indoor and outdoor cycling tracks in a national sports centre. Consideration will be given to these recommendations in the final analysis.
Leaving aside generalities, does the Minister of State agree there is an urgent necessity for a national cycle track? Will he consider taking steps to have this done on an interim basis without waiting for a major catch-all sports complex? Have funds been provided in the Estimates for 1986 that would make it possible to have a national cycle track?
In reply to the Deputy, I consider it necessary to have a national cycle track but I will not pre-empt in any way the views and recommendations of the committee which I set up to consider that aspect. They are meeting the Irish Cycling Federation and I have no doubt that their discussions and recommendations will be taken into consideration. With regard to whether resources have been made available this year for a cycle track, the answer is no. The Deputy asked if I could arrange to have some track made available in the interim but my answer is no. My view is that as we are accommodating all the sporting interests in a national sports stadium it would be unwise to do anything on an interim basis.
Having regard to the fact that yesterday emphasis was laid in the budget speech by the Minister for Finance on making funds available for the training of Irish athletes, is it not necessary to take up this matter rather more urgently than is suggested in the Minister's reply? Will he consider making representations to the Minister for Finance having regard to the allocation yesterday of funds for the national cycle track?
In relation to the announcement made yesterday by the Minister for Finance, there are a number of headings under which he provided finance. The one referred to by the Deputy would be in relation to the Olympic Council which was begun last year and which I was very concerned would at least give the opportunity of proper preparation for the Olympics. The second allocation, that was the £100.000 sports scholarships, is also a very important part of yesterday's allocation. As I have said, it would be unwise at this stage to cut across the recommendations and the report of the committee.
Is the Minister aware that the Irish Cycling Federation and Dublin Corporation have discussed the possibility of providing a cycling track in Dublin, that the possibility was discussed of the use of a site at the Causeway, Clontarf, where an ideal track could be laid out? Would the Minister consider contacting the corporation with a view to a joint venture in order to provide this much needed facility in Dublin?
As I said at the outset, I would not contact anyone at this stage in regard to the provision of facilities for sporting organisations. The committee I set up are contacting all the interested bodies. I am sure that is very well publicised and that if anyone has any contribution to make, his contribution will be considered. I have no intention of intervening at this point in the discussions that are taking place.
Can the Minister indicate when that committee are likely to report?
They will be reporting to me in May this year.