Bernard Allen
Question:57 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if he will consider controlling or banning the use of creatine in sport as a performance enhancing substance. [2432/01]
Other Questions. - Sports Anti-Doping Programme.
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. The convention is informed by the International Olympic Council's list of banned classes and methods of doping. This list, which is recognised by virtually all international sports federations, including non-Olympic sports, stems from sport itself but does not include creatine.
While the council is guided by international standards and developments, I intend to suggest to it that its anti-doping committee might consider the position of creatine and its use as a performance-enhancing substance, particularly in light of the latest available research.
A recent report by the French agency of medical security for food stated that there were long-term negative effects from the use of creatine and possible links with cancer. A leading expert also described the use of creatine as one step away from using anabolic steroids. In light of these strong statements, will the Minister set out exactly what discussions he has had with the Minister for Health and Children regarding an immediate education programme?
Given that the Minister today allocated £600,000 to the snooker association for a professional tournament, would Ministers not be better employed contacting schools which have been encouraging students to use creatine before important games? Would the Minister also not be better employed initiating an education programme regarding this dangerous substance?
I could not agree more with the Deputy's comments on the use of creatine. On every possible occasion we in this House have pointed out that there has not been enough research on creatine. This substance is commonly used by young athletes in schools but is not on the international list of banned substances.
I have stated that I intend to bring the research referred to by the Deputy to the attention of the sports council and I have no doubt it will strongly recommend that we add this substance to the list of banned substances. However, there is a difficulty. The Deputy is aware that I included anabolic steroids and a number of other drugs within the remit of the Misuse of Drugs Act so it is a criminal offence to be in possession of such drugs. However, creatine is causing problems.
There is not enough research on this substance and I have stated that those using creatine will be the laboratory guinea pigs of tomorrow. The Deputy has pointed out a serious matter and we have to take into account the more recent research.
In view of the seriousness and urgency of the situation, instead of seeking a recommendation from the Irish Sports Council, will the Minister immediately introduce, in conjunction with the Minister for Health and Children, a nationwide education programme? In conjunction with the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, will he also consider legislation or regulations to ban creatine? There is now a major question mark over this substance. It is being used in some of the major sporting schools but we are doing nothing about it. I raised this matter over 12 months ago and, if my memory is correct, I received the same response.
There are two points. Creatine has been mentioned on quite a number of occasions. I have always indicated it is a substance in respect of which we do not have research. No legislation is required to ban it, that could be done by way of a ministerial order. I have included five or six drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Act. Creatine could be such a substance, if it were permissible to do that, but it is currently available over the counter. Unless adequate research is carried out into a substance, it cannot be removed from circulation – a legal case could be brought against us for doing that – unless we have the necessary back up research to support such a decision. Second, as regards an education programme, I could discuss that with the Minister for Health and Children.
As a major French agency has issued a warning statement on the use of creatine, will the Minister introduce a regulation to ban its use rather than let a situation develop where we would be sorry after the event, in view of the potential catastrophic effect it will have on young people in later life? We still do not know what the fallout from its use will be. We are only guessing, but the danger signs are there and they have been presented to us by the French agency. I ask the Minister to introduce a regulation to ban the use of that substance.
I will see what I can do. As the Deputy is aware, an anti-doping committee was set up in September. It is chaired by Dr. Conor O'Brien and its membership comprises leading experts in the fields of medicine, law, pharmacology and administration. One of its members is Michele Verroken who is head of the UK's sports council anti-doping and education unit. I will raise this matter with the anti-doping committee and we will consider what can be done in this area.