Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 8 Mar 2000

Vol. 516 No. 1

Written Answers. - Sports Anti-doping Programme.

Jan O'Sullivan

Question:

27 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the proposals, if any, he has to criminalise the taking of performance enhancing drugs by athletes and sportsmen and women; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7027/00]

Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation (Dr. McDaid):

The Irish Sports Council, which is statutorily responsible for implementation of actions to combat doping in sport, inaugurated the national sports anti-doping programme in November 1999. The programme has been designed with reference to 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.

While my core objective has been to secure the establishment and implementation by the council of the programme, which is predicated on the active participation of autonomous national governing bodies of sport, the measures in the programme might be complemented through the application of certain legislative-based measures.

A number of options have been identified, most specifically in the area of possession and supply of certain performance enhancing drugs, with regard to incorporating certain substances used in sport, under Ireland's general drugs legislation.

As I advised the House previously, consultations between my Department and the Department of Health and Children are at an advanced stage regarding the types of drugs used for the enhancement of sport performances that may be suitable for inclusion in the Schedule to the Misuse of Drugs Act. In addition, the Department of Health and Children is engaged in a wider consultative process with the other relevant groups. Following the completion of this process the Minister for Health and Children will bring the declaration order and the corresponding regulations under that Act into operation.

Including certain performance enhancing drugs will send a very strong signal to those coaches, trainers, athletes and any other persons found in possession of such specified drugs that they will, in future, be committing an offence under Irish law and be subject to the full rigours of that law.