Vol. 486 No. 1
812 Mr. P. Carey asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if he will review the long-standing policy of his Department and his predecessors not to recognise the sport of chess for grant-aid purposes in view of the fact that the admission of this game at the Olympics is imminent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1304/98]
It is not possible to recognise chess as a sport as it does not meet the requirements of sport as a physical activity needing physical fitness and elements such as "hand-eye" co-ordination, as set out in the Council of Europe definition which is normally used for recognition purposes. However, I intend carrying out a full review of my Department's role in relation to recreation, including, in particular, what our priorities should be in that area, and activities such as chess will, of course, be examined in the context of recreational policy.
