I propose to take Questions Nos. 15, 21, 25, 26, 39, 40, 43 and 224 together.
In the first instance, I congratulate the members of the Irish team who reached the various qualifying standards which entitled them to represent us at the Olympic Games. As Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation, I was delighted to be in the stadium to witness an outstanding performance by Sonia O'Sullivan in winning the silver medal in the 5,000 metres. In addition, there were many other fine performances by our team which included the setting of new Irish records and the achievement of new personal bests.
There is no doubt, however, that in spite of their best efforts the under performance of many of Ireland's competitors in Sydney was a source of disappointment, particularly to the athletes themselves who made so many sacrifices during the past three and a half years to qualify for the games. In the light of the substantially increased investment in structural and financial support for sport in recent years, it is a matter of particular importance that these resources are spent in a manner that assists our athletes to achieve their full potential when performing at the Olympics and other major international events.
I have already asked the Irish Sports Council to carry out an in-depth review of the supports, programmes and schemes currently in place to establish how they can be best implemented to ensure a much improved performance in the next three to four years. It is intended that the review will include the National Coaching and Training Centre, the 28 national governing bodies of sport affiliated to the Olympic movement, the Olympic Council of Ireland, coaches and competitors, all of whom will be asked to contribute on the basis of their expertise and experience of these and previous Olympics.
While I have had differences with the Olympic Council of Ireland in the past, as far as I am concerned, I ensured that our relationship was not an issue in Sydney and would not impinge on our athletes during the games.
As the House is aware, I was for several months in the lead up to this year's Olympic Games, in contact with the Olympic Council of Ireland and the relevant athletics organisation urging the resolution of their difficulties in relation to the gear to be worn by Ireland's athletes in Sydney. The matter was satisfactorily settled in June last. Subsequently, in the days preceding the games, I sought accreditation for attendance at the games in respect of a ministerial delegation of three, on the assumption that the chief executive of the Irish Sports Council, John Treacy, would receive accreditation in his own right. When this did not materialise, I arranged for one of the three ministerial delegation accreditations to issue to Mr. Treacy so that the Irish Sports Council could be formally represented.
Additional information.
The question of accreditation for attendance at future Olympic Games remains a matter for the International Olympic Council and the Olympic Council of Ireland.
As regards relations with the Olympic Council of Ireland and the Athletics Association of Ireland, my Department and the Sports Council will continue to discharge their respective responsibilities in a fair and even handed manner, with the interests of Irish sport always to the fore. I hope that notwithstanding difficulties in the past, and learning from the experience of Sydney 2000, all our sports bodies can now go on to work effectively, efficiently and professionally together, for the advancement of Irish athletics.
Recent developments such as the launch of the Sport's Council's three year development strategy for Irish sport; creation of a strong new governing body for Irish athletics; and the major investment recently announced for Morton Stadium, together create the potential for a new exciting era in Irish athletics. I hope the outcome of the review of Ireland's performance at the recent Olympics already referred to, will ensure that we are well on the way to realising that potential by Athens 2004.