Vol. 502 No. 2
8 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the response, if any, he has received to his recent appeal to the athletics bodies to unite under the umbrella of a single administrative structure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7397/99]
The sport of athletics is experiencing many challenges, including retaining current members, attracting new members, ensuring that the linkage between school and adult athletics provides a continuum of involvement for athletes and in competing with other sports for commercial and corporate support. With a view to increasing participation in athletics and maintaining its popularity in Irish sport, it is my intention to streamline the administration of athletics and reach a position for the year 2001 where it will be possible to fund one administrative structure, which will become a stronger and more robust focus for the development of athletics.
As a first step in this process, I have requested BLE, the National Athletic and Cultural Association of Ireland and the Irish Schools Athletic Association to submit a joint proposal for funding in respect of organisational development, international competition and training and the hosting of international events for 1999. To facilitate the athletic bodies in this process, I have asked the director of the National Coaching and Training Centre to assist them.
I understand some progress has been made in advancing this process and I look forward to receiving an agreed proposal in the near future. As soon as an agreed proposal is received, it will be considered by the Irish Sports Council. I assure the Deputy there will be no delay on my part, on receipt of the council's recommendation, in approving the funding allocation.
The question asked the Minister if he had received replies to his recent appeal to the athletic bodies to unite and what progress had been made on the matter. Does the Minister intend to pursue his proposal? Is there apprehension among these organisations that unless they unite under one umbrella, funding may be suspended? Can he assure them this will not happen if they do not unite?
I see no reason athletics must have three governing bodies. I have said I will give them two years to get their house in order. I have asked them to bring forward an organisational and strategic report this year on how they intend to operate to ensure there is no overlap and that competitions are not held at the same time so that athletes are shown fair play.
Three organisations have administered athletics for the past 15 to 20 years. I am determined to streamline this so I have introduced a cut off date of 2001. We have seen in Northern Ireland over recent years that unless a deadline is set, the process will be open-ended.
Athletics receives 10 per cent of all Government funding, which is the highest administration costs of any organisation, and it is split between the three bodies. There is a total overlap in the work they do. I want to bring them together under one umbrella, but I assure them there will be no diminution of funding. I am prepared to increase funding if they come together under the one umbrella and I am glad they are working towards that end.
One unknown voice disputed this proposal recently but they did not have the courage to go on record. Their views, however, were contradicted by their official spokesperson. I am totally committed to ensuring that athletics is streamlined and to working with all the national athletics organisations, but I am determined that athletics will be administered by one structure by 2001.
This is a serious issue. I disagree with the Minister's heavy handiness in forcing organisations together.
The Deputy must ask a question.
Does the Minister intend to extend this principle of unifying organisations under a particular code to other areas? Is it correct that he is attempting to force the Irish Schools' Swimming Association under the umbrella of Swim Ireland, a much tormented body at present? Does he intend to do so by threatening to cut off funding to that democratically elected organisation? Does he intend to withdraw that threat which will jeopardise the quadrangular international championships in Galway on 28 March and cause embarrassment to the Irish Schools' Swimming Association, a democratically elected organisation?
I have clarified that matter with the Deputy. I do not intend to reduce funding. I have asked these organisations to come together with one organisational plan for this year. As regards Swim Ireland, I have already stated that the child sexual abuse took place in the clubs associated with the schools. They will all come under the one umbrella.
That is a disgraceful slur on that association and the Minister should apologise to it.
