Liz McManus
Ceist:53 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if he will make the use of drugs in sport a criminal offence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25559/98]
Written Answers - Drugs in Sport.
The Deputy, and all Members of the House, will be aware of my abhorrence of drug taking within sport and my commitment to do all within my power to help eliminate this scourge.
To this end, I launched details of Ireland's first ever national sports anti-doping programme some months back. This programme will be operated under the auspices of the Irish Sports Council when the council is established on a statutory basis. The Irish Sports Council Bill is currently on Second Stage in the Dáil.
I am currently in consultation with the Attorney General with regard to possible other means available under existing legislative and regulatory mechanisms with regard to the fight against drugs in sport.
Sport is now a very big business where success can confer personal fame and, in many instances, personal fortune. It is perhaps not surprising that sight is often lost of the ethics and integrity of true sporting endeavour and that many athletes feel pressurised to succeed at any price, even at the cost to their own long-term health.
In this context, committed though I am to using all appropriate legislative and regulatory procedures, the battle against drugs in sports cannot be waged on this front alone. It must come from the core within sport itself, from the sporting organisations, coaches, trainers, medical personnel, teachers, parents, and the athletes themselves.