I very much welcome the proposal from the European Commission that the 5th European Union Framework Research Programme (1999-2000) could be used to carry out studies and projects with the aim of improving methods of detecting, controlling and studying the effects of doping in sport. I would personally hope that EU funding available under the 5th European Union Framework Research Programme 1999-2004, might be of particular benefit in the area of researching doping agents and methods.
Given the importance of co-operation and co-ordination in this field, the European Commission will, I understand, be consulting with sporting organisations and, in particular, the medical committee of the International Olympic Committee, both to set priorities for research and to evaluate projects submitted according to the procedures laid down in the framework programme.
The Irish Sports Council, when established on a statutory basis, will have responsibility for the operation of Ireland's first ever national sports anti-doping programme. The Bill, providing for the establishment of the council and which includes a requirement to set up an anti-doping committee – chaired by a registered medical practitioner – has recently passed Committee Stage in Dáil Éireann.
The national sports anti-doping programme, in line with the terms of the Council of Europe Anti-Doping Convention, 1989, seeks a three strand approach to the reduction of doping in sport: (i) actual testing programmes; (ii) educational programmes and information campaigns exphasising the dangers to health inherent in doping, and its harm to the ethical values of sport; and (iii) research regarding both the devising of appropriate sports training programmes that respect the integrity of the human person, and programmes of research and development into doping agents and methods.
Necessary preliminary steps for the implementation of the programme such as tender procedures for the taking, and independent analysis, of samples, and confirmation by individual NGBs of their willingness to participate in the programme, are currently under way. It is anticipated that, once established, the Irish Sports Council and its anti-doping committee in particular, will be in regular consultation with national governing bodies of sport in Ireland, the Olympic Council of Ireland, the Council of Europe, the EU Commission, and other jurisdictions-international agencies on the progress of research, etc.
