Conor Lenihan
Ceist:252 Mr. C. Lenihan asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the support, if any, he has given or will give to kick-boxing. [16444/99]
Written Answers. - Sports Funding.
The present Irish Sports Council has been working with the martial arts sporting organisations, with the objective of achieving an appropriate structure for the future development of martial arts in Ireland. The National Coaching and Training Centre is facilitating the process through a joint planning group representative of the Irish Martial Arts Commission to which kick-boxing is affiliated, the Irish Taekwondo Union and the Official National Amateur Karate Association of Ireland.
It is expected that, on successful completion of this process, the martial arts organisations will be in a position to prepare and submit a joint proposal to the incoming statutory based Irish Sports Council due to be established on Thursday next, 1 July, seeking formal recognition for funding purposes within the context of the requirements for such recognition. Under the recently enacted Irish Sports Council legislation, responsibility for such matters comes within the council's statutory remit, including consideration of any application emerging from the process currently under way with the martial arts organisations.