Vol. 502 No. 2
7 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the proposals, if any, he has to launch an information campaign designed to raise awareness among young people of the problems and risks of doping in sport, particularly using major Irish events as a platform for these campaigns. [6661/99]
The Deputy will know of my commitment to the objective of creating a sporting environment that fosters the pursuit of excellence and fulfilment in sport by fair and ethical means. Education has a very important role to play in achieving this end, as recognised by the Council of Europe Anti-Doping Convention, 1989, which seeks a three strand approach to the reduction of doping in sport, namely, testing, research and educational programmes and information campaigns.
Ireland's first ever national sports anti-doping programme, which I launched last year, is scheduled to become operational when the Irish Sports Council is established on a statutory basis. The Sports Council Bill passed Committee Stage last week.
The programme has been designed with reference to the Council of Europe Anti-Doping Convention, 1989. It is anticipated that the educational and information aspects of the programme will emphasise the dangers to health inherent in doping and its harm to the ethical values of sport. Specific programmes will be developed by the Irish Sports Council and the National Coaching and Training Centre, Limerick, in co-operation with the NGBs.
Research has already begun on existing educational and information programmes with a view to devising an appropriate, strategic, focused and co-ordinated campaign for implementation under the national sports anti-doping programme. Early discussions are planned in this context with the health promotion unit within the Department of Health and Children. The council will also be able to draw upon developments at both EU and Council of Europe level.
Education programmes and information campaigns will need the fullest co-operation and support of all those involved in sport if the scourge of drug taking is not to be carried on through future generations of sports boys and girls, men and women. In this regard, I will be asking for the wholehearted commitment from all those involved in sport, including parents, schools, sponsors, trainers, coaches, doctors and, most importantly, high profile athletes to work with the sports council and the governing bodies in actively promoting the qualities of genuine sporting endeavour and to educate our young people involved in sport of the health risks associated with taking performance enhancing drugs and the potential health risks from the misuse of other products, such as food supplements.
I note the Deputy's idea of using major Irish events as a platform and will convey this to the Irish Sports Council for its consideration in the ongoing development of the national sports anti-doping programme and in the context of initiatives in the general area of awareness of the risks and problems of doping in sport.
Would the Minister agree that many high profile professional and commercial activities involve sports stars who are often not great role models for young people? Often participants are smeared by the dye of commercialism, as was evident at Lansdowne Road where participants were smeared with the dye of the advertising companies on the pitch. Does the Minister agree that sports heroes exert major influence on young people and communities? Will he initiate a programme to enable our sports men and women to visit schools and communities to instil in young people the spirit of participation and enjoyment of sport which seems to be eroded by the growing influence of commercial interests on sporting events? This would be an important initiative in dealing with the growing use of performance enhancing substances in sport.
I agree with the Deputy. However, we must remember that only a small percentage of elite athletes have brought sport to its present position. The majority of people who participate in sport do so on a voluntary basis. The image of sports heroes has been tarnished by recent events. When we see someone on the podium now, we usually ask what they have taken. Young people do not seem to have heroes anymore.
I will consider a promotional programme in schools which, I hope, will be implemented on a voluntary basis and which sporting heroes feel is of benefit. I will give them any assistance I can.
Does the Minister agree that the recent bareknuckled fisticuffs on television involving teams, stewards and supporters was not a good advertisement for sport? Will he use his influence to ensure that when punches are thrown by non-contestants, not only will they be investigated by the sporting organisations but the gardaí will be brought in and criminal procedures taken to stamp out this type of behaviour in sport?
Such behaviour cannot be con doned. I ask the national organisations to take every possible action to ensure these people receive the necessary punishment. It would be going a little too far if we made every fisticuffs on a football field a criminal offence.
I was talking about non-contestants.
How does the Minister propose to convey to as many young people as possible this valuable information? Is there a major problem with food supplements among our young sports people?
As regards the Deputy's first question, I hope athletes will do this on a voluntary basis, but I will give them any assistance I can. As regards food supplements, young people who take food supplements today are the guinea pigs of the scientists of tomorrow.
