Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 28 Mar 1995

Vol. 451 No. 2

Written Answers. - International Draughts Team.

Noel Ahern

Question:

69 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht if his Department will recognise and grant-aid the playing of draughts in view of the fact that our international team is discriminated against and gets no Government help and is not recognised as a sport by the Department of Education; if draughts will be termed a cultural activity; and if our international representatives can compete on an equal footing with other EU countries. [6409/95]

Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht (Mr. M. Higgins)

The playing of the game of draughts does not come within the statutory remit of my Department or any statutory funding bodies under my aegis. In the circumstances, I have no role in recognising or grant aiding this activity.