Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 21 Oct 1998

Vol. 495 No. 5

Priority Questions. - Sports Anti-Doping Programme.

Michael Ferris

Question:

11 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the meetings, if any, he has had with sporting organisations to discuss measures to end the misuse of drugs in sport in view of the revelations of drug abuse in Irish rugby; the action, if any, he has taken to bring forward legislation as a matter of urgency which would oblige sporting organisations to deal effectively with revelations of drugs misuse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20643/98]

Bernard Allen

Question:

12 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if he has met the Irish Rugby Football Union since the allegations were made in a newspaper article (details supplied) regarding the use of performance enhancing drugs in rugby union football; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20645/98]

Dr. McDaid

I propose to take Questions Nos. 11 and 12 together.

The Deputies will be aware of my deep personal concern with regard to the use of performance enhancing drugs in sport and my initiative in launching Ireland's first ever national sports anti-doping programme. All recognised national governing bodies of sport have been circularised with the details and will be involved over the coming months in consultations with the Irish Sports Council which will oversee delivery of the programme.

The provisions of the programme go beyond testing to incorporate assisting in the education of our young athletes to the dangers inherent in drug taking. While the programme will be voluntary in nature, public funding will be withheld from any national governing body of sport or any individual athlete who opts out of participation, or if participating breaches any element of rules governing its operation.

I am aware that the IRFU has been very much to the fore in its support of my proposals for a national sports anti-doping programme. However, I have not been in direct contact specifically with regard to recent allegations against some Irish rugby players because these cases are being investigated under the relevant national and international governing body's own rules and regulations and are not, therefore, a matter for discussion or communication between the union and myself.

Mr. Ferris

I compliment the Minister on the publication of his Bill today, a section of which deals with anti-doping. Does the Minister agree the allegations — some may be unfounded and unwarranted, but some have given rise to concern for all of us — are doing irreparable damage to the image of sport in the country and that it is imperative that he hold meetings with the various sporting federations in Ireland to ensure the code, which is voluntary, is used to make every effort to rid all sport of this extraordinary phenomenon of performance enhancing drugs? I know the Minister shares the concern of the House in this regard. While action is being taken elsewhere by international and other governing bodies, does he think it would be appropriate for him to initiate these discussions? The Minister has responsibility for assisting some of these groups through funding and must report to the Oireachtas in this regard.

Dr. McDaid

There have been dramatic changes in sport over the past 20 years. Commercialism and professionalism have resulted in a dramatic change and have changed the sporting environment, probably forever. Where once the honour of participation was the main theme, there are now huge financial rewards available.

Consequently, one result can mean the difference between obscurity and huge financial reward. People would have been naive to believe that drugs would not enter the sporting arena.

The Bill referred to by the Deputy is attempting to return to the ideal of participation being more important than winning. I am a realist, particularly in the context of the huge sums of money involved. Winning at any cost is totally unacceptable. The Bill deals with doping in sport and there is no reason I should meet the rugby union, the specific federation involved. This might be a matter for the select committee of which the Deputy is a member.

The anti-doping Bill includes a paragraph concerning an independent body which will deal with the whole area of doping in sport. I do not believe sportsmen should investigate themselves, just as I believe doctors should not investigate doctors, etc. Investigative bodies must be fully independent; setting up independent bodies within federations is not the proper way of going forward. Therefore, I have established an independent body which will be chaired by a high profile medical person and which will take control of the area. The body will be totally independent of the sports council and the Minister.

My role is not one of telling the federations what to do. I do not believe the Minister should tell federations and national governing bodies how to act. The bodies should see this themselves in the light of the events which have occurred.

All bodies have already been circularised with the intention that they should change their constitutions immediately by introducing anti-doping measures and severe penalties for those caught taking performance enhancing drugs.

Mr. Allen

I am amazed the Minister said he should not meet the national federations, etc. and that the select committee of which Deputy Ferris is a member could meet them if it wished. The Minister should provide political leadership in this issue which is vital to sport. Does he agree the vacuum which has existed for many years has made Irish sports men and women vulnerable to allegations and that the failure to introduce a national drug testing and education programme has brought about this vulnerability? Why has there been such a long delay? The Minister has been in office for a year and a half and everything was almost ready when the Government changed. He made an announcement some months ago but the programme will not be introduced until next year. Is there a problem with resources?

I am amazed the Minister has not met the IRFU in the midst of the controversy. I thought he would provide the political leadership and urge the IRFU to name and shame those guilty of staining the name of Irish sport across the world.

Will the Minister use his political influence to address the allegations that schools are urging some of their top sports students to use creatine, a muscle building substance? It is not an illegal substance, but its use creates an air of acceptance of performance enhancing substances which will encourage young people to use stronger drug enhancing substances. The Minister should show political leadership by ensuring schools do not encourage students to use such substances.

All the national federations were urged to include a scheme of penalties in their respective constitutions at a seminar held in north Dublin in 1996. How many of them have done that? Have the top four associations, the FAI, the IRFU, the GAA and the BLE, included it in their constitutions and, if not, why not?

Dr. McDaid

The future credibility of sport will depend on the success and efforts that will be made by Governments to develop and implement the new methods that have been brought forward. The select committee has proved to be an exceptional way of getting results on particular issues of importance, many of which have been raised by the Deputy in the House. The select committee has the necessary powers to call in the IRFU and that matter can be addressed at that level. There is little to be gained by my meeting members of the IRFU. It should be called before the select committee on which all parties are represented and the Deputy can voice his opinion at that time.

The IRFU, the GAA, the BLE and the FAI indicated their willingness to co-operate with the new scheme. I am not aware if a scheme of penalties has been included in their constitutions, but I told them it is compulsory to include that facet.

There has been a delay in introducing the proposed Bill because the heads of the Bill have to be approved by Government and it then has to be drafted and published, and the publication of a Bill can take two to three weeks. The Deputy is aware of the process involved in bringing forward a Bill. There were no resources available for this purpose until the Minister for Finance, Deputy McCreevy, allocated resources for it in last year's budget. A Bill can be brought forward only when sufficient resources have been allocated for that purpose.

The Deputy raised questions about the use of creatine and that is the subject of another question. I would be wary of its use. It is an amino acid found in muscle and it has been used to strengthen the heart muscle. There have been recent newspaper reports on its varied uses. I would rule against the taking of that substance, particularly by students, and I would be loathe to tell them to use it. I am pleased the Deputy raised that question. I would not favour the use of any drugs in sport. The use of creatine has not been banned by the International Olympic Council and there was some controversy about its use in the summer. I urge people to be very careful about using all drugs, including creatine.

Mr. Ferris

The select committee——

An Ceann Comhairle

The six minutes allocated for this question are exhausted.

Mr. Allen

Two questions were taken together.

An Ceann Comhairle

The 12 minutes allocated for the two questions are exhausted.

Mr. Ferris

The select committee invited the IRFU to come before it, but it has not responded to that invitation. We will pursue this matter because we all have responsibility in this regard.