Liam Aylward
Ceist:103 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Education the proposals, if any, of the sports section in her Department for the introduction of dope testing for Irish sports people. [19000/95]
Written Answers. - Dope Testing.
In consulation with the national governing bodies of sport, my Department is preparing plans for the introduction of a dope testing and drugs education programme for Irish sports people in 1996.
On Saturday 9 December 1995 my Department organised a seminar for all national governing bodies of sport in order to explain in detail the systems, procedures and responsibilities involved in dope testing and drug education in sport.
Following on the seminar, the sport section of my Department has written to all national governing bodies of sport reminding them of the need to examine, and if necessary, amend their constitutions and regulations in order to make provision for the introduction of dope testing and to provide education-training programmes for their members. This will facilitate the introduction of testing and my Department is at present monitoring the responses of the governing bodies and developing proposals for the introduction of a testing programme this year.