SELECT COMMITTEE ON ARTS, SPORT, TOURISM, COMMUNITY, RURAL AND GAELTACHT AFFAIRS debate -
Wednesday, 11 Dec 2002

Vol. 1 No. 3

Council of Europe Anti-Doping Convention: Motion.

Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism (Mr. O’Donoghue)

I thank the Cathaoirleach and members of the committee for providing me with this opportunity of introducing, for the approval of Dáil Éireann, Ireland's ratification of the Council of Europe's anti-doping convention. For Ireland, which enjoys an outstanding reputation in international sport, not just for its levels of performances across a wide range of disciplines, but also for its integrity, sportsmanship and sense of fair play both on and off the field, the formal ratification of this convention is very important. Ireland is one of only 40 or so countries in the world which can boast of its own national anti-doping programme. Ratification will add a further stamp of quality on what is already an outstanding and most effective programme, operated by the Irish Sports Council. Ratification will mean that Ireland will be able in future to participate as a full member of the Council of Europe's anti-doping committee, contribute actively to the ongoing formulation of policy, benefit from the results of research and new initiatives and be in a position to speak with confidence and authority on issues related to the global battle against doping in sport.

Members of the committee will be aware that the convention was originally opened for signature in November 1989 and Ireland signed it on 25 June 1992. However, as Ireland did not have its own national anti-doping programme in place, the terms of the convention could not be implemented until now. In May 1998, the Government approved proposals from my predecessor, Deputy McDaid as Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation, for the introduction of Ireland's first ever national sports anti-doping programme. A draft programme was launched in June 1998, indicating that the programme would be operated under the auspices of the Irish Sports Council once the council was established on a statutory basis.

The Irish Sports Council was established as a statutory body in July 1999 under the Irish Sports Council Act, 1999. This Act also enabled the council to implement the anti-doping programme. The programme was officially launched in November 1999. It is important here to emphasise that Ireland's programme is firmly based on the provisions of the Council of Europe convention. The three pillars on which the convention is based are also the foundations on which the Irish programme has been developed, introduced and implemented. These are testing programmes, education and research.

The Council of Europe has already expressed its satisfaction with the content, administration and operation of the Irish programme in all its three elements and has recommended that Ireland should now ratify the convention. I now ask the committee for its favourable consideration and support in obtaining Dáil approval so that Ireland can ratify this convention. I again express my thanks to the committee for its courtesy and attention in dealing with this subject which is so important in combating doping in sport and which will further enhance Ireland's standing and its contribution to this work in Europe and beyond. Go raibh míle maith agat arís, a Chathaoirligh.

Mr. Deenihan

I welcome this development and compliment the Irish Sports Council and its chief executive, Mr. John Treacy, on being so proactive in introducing an anti-doping programme within such a short time after it was constituted. This shows its effectiveness. This is an area of genuine concern among the sporting fraternity. Because of various scandals at the Olympic Games and elsewhere there has been a major credibility problem associated with elite performances. Rumours have even circulated at inter-county GAA level. This procedure will be a deterrent for those who seek to abuse the system by using substances to enhance performance. They will no longer take the chance.

Will the Minister outline how the anti-doping strategy is being implemented? How many are carrying out spot checks and other tests? How many positive test results have there been to date? They are the two critical issues in determining success to date in identifying those who have used illegal substances to boost performance.

Mr. Wall

I welcome this briefing on the anti-doping convention. Does the Irish Sports Council have an educational programme to bring it to the attention of youth? Considering the problems we have encountered with drugs in general there is a link to drug use in sport. As a country that depends so much on sport, it is very important that we maintain our high reputation at international level. We will not be caught in the doping world. How does the Minister see the programme developing in coming years? In rural as well as urban areas we have many sports facilities for young people. If doping was to become the norm, it would filter down to ordinary club level where it could prove detrimental to the overall performance of teams and individuals. The Minister should outline the educational and information campaigns his Department and the Irish Sports Council will launch.

Mr. Glennon

All of 15 years ago I was tested in the international arena. I welcome this measure. From my research in this regard, it appears that the first reference to performance enhancing substances in sport was in the year 160 BC, involving a Roman gladiator named Galen.

Chairman

What was his first name?

Mr. O’Donoghue

Was he from Kerry?

Mr. Glennon

Perhaps he was from Kerry North. Deputy Deenihan might be in a position to advise in that regard. I had to drop out of the earlier debate to get some performance enhancing sustenance in case I should fail this test.

Mr. Deenihan

No doubt the Deputy will rise to the challenge.

Mr. Glennon

After four millennia, we have had approximately 30 years of detection. That puts the whole situation into perspective. This measure has been welcomed right across the broad spectrum of sport in Ireland. As with any new measure, particularly where individual privacy is involved, there were initial reservations in some organisations but I am glad it is now being taken on board by all concerned. Some relevant statistics are worth noting. A review in a recent British Medical Association publication recorded that 85% of all males using gymnasia in the UK have used steroids. In the US, 12% of under 18s have experimented and, of that 12%, 40% were under 15. There is an awareness worldwide and there appears to be an acceptance by coaches at the higher levels of some international sports that peak performance cannot be achieved without performance enhancing substances.

I welcome the role Ireland has played over the years as one of the leaders - one of only 40 countries, as the Minister said in his introduction - in adhering to this protocol and one of only three countries having a faculty of sports medicine, which was recently established jointly by the Royal College of Surgeons and the Royal College of Physicians. We are exploiting our position in world sport through the achievements of many individuals over the years. On the basis of that reputation, we must lead the way for the betterment of our sports people and organisations and for the integrity of sport on the international stage which is very much under threat. In some sports, the focus is more on show business than sporting endeavour. With regard to the Olympics - I know I speak in the presence of an Olympic medallist - that event has, unfortunately, been dramatically devalued in recent years, with many question marks over the doping issue. We should do all in our power, nationally and internationally, to move the situation forward. I commend the document which is before the committee.

Mr. Kelly

The committee is honoured by the presence this evening of a former world champion and Olympic medallist, to whom I extend a sincere welcome. I compliment the Minister and I fully support Ireland's ratification of the Council of Europe anti-doping convention.

Mr. O’Shea

I welcome ratification of the anti-doping convention and I commend the work which has been done to date. It is imperative that cheats are hunted from sport in Ireland and throughout the world. Harmonisation of standards between countries obviously assists that process.

I wish to put a question to the Minister on Campus Stadium Ireland and, in particular, the——

Chairman

That is not relevant to this meeting.

Mr. O’Shea

My question is very relevant. I hope the Chair will not jump in too quickly.

Chairman

A discussion on that matter could go on indefinitely.

Mr. O’Shea

As well as providing a stadium, Campus Stadium Ireland was to provide a campus of sporting excellence, including a sports medical centre and drug testing facilities. Will the Minister state whether that is now completely off the agenda or will it reappear within the lifetime of the Government or at any time in future?

Chairman

Before the Minister responds, I wish to add my congratulations on this move forward by Ireland in relation to this important convention. I welcome our distinguished visitors on this occasion. Discussions on anti-doping measures normally focus on preventing access to performance enhancing drugs. I will exercise my discretion in the Chair to refer to another aspect which may not be directly related. I refer to the problem of performance reducing substances, such as the role of alcohol in many sports. Perhaps that is a matter for another day but I hope the National Sports Council will also bear it in mind.

Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism (Mr. O’Donoghue)

I will be brief in my response to the questions raised. It is widely recognised that a drugs culture has developed in sport on a worldwide scale. It is just as amoral as the drugs culture, unrelated to sport, which has decimated communities in this country and elsewhere. For centuries, honour was the main thing at stake in sport, whereas now the reality is that large financial gain is at stake. Whenever money dangles its temptation before human beings, some will be sufficiently susceptible to bite the apple. We should not claim to be any less culpable than other comparable European countries. Some 1% of our athletes have been found positive, which corresponds to the international average in Europe, at least. Anybody who has an impression of sunshine and roses in our situation is clearly misguided. While the majority of our athletes comply with the moral and ethical code, there are some who do not. We have a problem in that regard, just as other countries have.

As I said in my initial statement, we are one of only 40 countries adhering to the convention. From Ireland's perspective, we must continue to do all we possibly can to eradicate this scourge from our country's sport. With regard to the actual tests, a company named IDTM is employed to carry out that process. There was a target of 750 tests for the year 2002 and I understand we are on target at this stage. Fifty three national bodies have signed up, which represents virtually 100% participation by competitive sports organisations in this country. That is excellent.

With regard to the events of 160 BC, to which Deputy Glennon referred, my understanding of the situation at that time is, while the gladiators were tested, no tests were ever carried out on the lions. That seems most unfair.

Mr. Glennon

The Minister would have a better memory of those times than I.

Mr. Deenihan

I did not hear how many were found to be positive.

Mr. O’Donoghue

Some 1%.

Mr. O’Shea

What about the campus of sporting excellence?

Mr. O’Donoghue

I have long been a supporter of Campus and Stadium Ireland which I am convinced would be of tremendous benefit to the country. I, therefore, regret that budgetary constraints have not allowed the Government to proceed with it at this time, but the day will come when it will commence to be constructed. It will be of enormous benefit to Irish sport and, as has been said, "Every country should have one."

Chairman

We have now completed our consideration of the convention.