Vol. 482 No. 2
97 Mr. McDowell asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if he will recognise bridge as a sport; and his views on whether this sport should be eligible for financial and grant aid support from his Department, lottery funds and so on. [17483/97]
It is not possible to recognise bridge as a sport, as bridge does not meet the requirements of sport as a physical activity needing physical fitness and elements such as handeye co-ordination, as set out in the Council of Europe definition which is normally used for recognition purposes. However, in view of the broadening of my Department's remit to include recreation I am examining bridge in the context of recreation.
