I welcome Mr. John Treacy, chief executive officer of the Irish Sports Council, and his colleagues who are here to make a presentation on their activities. As this is an Olympic year, they have been asked to speak on elite athletes, their anti-doping responsibilities and programme and any other topics that the members may wish to inquire about later. I invite Mr. Treacy to make his presentation, a copy of which has been circulated to members.
Role and Functions: Discussion with Irish Sports Council.
Mr. Noel Treacy
I would like to introduce my colleagues. On my left is Dr. Una May, manager of our anti-doping unit, Mr. Finbarr Kirwan, manager of our high performance unit, and Mr. Paul McDermott, manager of our communications unit.
On behalf of the Irish Sports Council, I thank the committee for this opportunity to speak to its members this afternoon. I would like to make the following points. Investment in high performance sport will exceed €9 million in 2008 with the system showing improved results with better structures. We are on track to meet our stated targets for 2008 including six finalists or equivalent at the Beijing Olympic Games and 12 finalists at the Paralympic Games. The relationships with our athletes have never been stronger and the levels of support have never been greater. Every Irish Olympic and Paralympic athlete will be tested by the anti-doping programme at least three times in advance of the Beijing games.
The performance of the Irish team at recent Olympic Games has been the subject of much analysis. Reports, including one published by this committee in November 2005, have sought to understand if and why Ireland has underperformed at successive games. The debate following the Sydney and Athens games was not always cordial. However, it served as the catalyst for changes in the high performance system in Ireland. The Sydney review and the Athens review addressed the core deficiencies in the Irish system and led directly to a new and improved way of doing business in Irish sport. The council has taken the lead in the implementation of the recommendations on behalf of Irish sport. Any observer who studies those reports, and the report of this committee of 2005, would conclude that the key recommendations have been implemented and significant advances have taken place. That said, it remains a young system. We are still at an early stage in the development and remain a few years behind world leaders such as Australia who famously began this process after the Montreal Olympics in 1976.
The council is the statutory agency responsible for elite sport in Ireland. The high performance unit is the operational unit of the council which has driven the changes in the high performance system. By investing the money provided by the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism, the council has radically improved the supports available to Ireland's top athletes. Our manner of operation is to work in close collaboration with sports that have the capacity to deliver genuine world class performances. These sports — athletics, cycling, rowing, boxing, equestrian, sailing, hockey, paralympics, canoeing and swimming — devise, agree and implement a comprehensive high performance plan, from juniors to seniors, that is focused on delivering success for Ireland at the highest level of international competition. There is another group of sports, shooting, fencing and badminton, to which we provide dedicated support to their outstanding athletes.
The sports are responsible for their athletes and their performances. They employ performance directors and international coaches to work with their athletes. Some 25 dedicated professionals are responsible for delivering the elite plans. Supported by and working closely with the high performance unit, the sports are empowered to create the best possible environment for their top athletes.
This sense of ownership within the sports is essential. Nothing is imposed without agreement. We have made progress through consensus. There is a real unity of purpose throughout the system which is a major advance on the past. Critically within this system direct lines of communication are open to the athletes. The support systems are very particular to their requirements and cover areas such as specialised coaching, equipment, medical provision and lifestyle supports.
The council has intervened directly with many of our most senior athletes. In collaboration with performance directors and coaches of the NGB, support systems designed to meet the particular needs of the athlete have been developed and implemented. This is a very significant advance and the new direct relationship is genuinely appreciated by the athletes.
Athletes rely on another programme for financial support through the international carding scheme. In 2008, 254 athletes and four teams are supported under the scheme. Covering 20 sports, the carding scheme extends beyond international and world class. Some 152 junior and development athletes also receive support under the scheme. In 2007, 4,000 support interventions were provided under the non-financial aspects of the scheme across the range of sports science and sports medical services.
We have a team travelling to Beijing this August of whom we can all be proud. Each athlete who will represent Ireland at the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games is young, talented and has qualified for the games on his or her merit. They are thriving in an increasingly competitive environment and have passed through an arduous qualification process. They have emerged from a distinctly Irish system where they are, for the most part, well supported, well coached and well managed.
The significant increase in funding provided by the Government has facilitated the rapid and fundamental change in the way high performance supports are delivered. A total of €30 million has been invested in this system since the Athens review was published. In 2008 this funding will amount to approximately €9 million, a major increase on the figure of €2 million invested as recently as 2002. A total of €5.13 million has been made available to the 15 sports in 2008 for their performance plans. The international carding scheme has a budget of €2.3 million. The Irish Institute of Sport will invest €835,000 in new programmes this year. In 2008 the Olympic Council of Ireland will receive €587,000. This grant covers expenses incurred in Olympic preparation programmes as well as a substantial grant towards administration and other core functions of the organisation.
The Paralympic Council of Ireland will receive €509,000 to support its core functions. This includes the funding of a training base in China for the preparation of its athletes in advance of the games in September. In addition, it receives €480,000 for high performance planning. The Paralympic Council functions as the relevant governing body of sport for elite athletes with a disability in Ireland.
The programmes outlined are target driven and measured against agreed objectives which include predicted numbers for Olympic Games qualification and, ultimately, reaching Olympic Games finals. For example, the Irish Amateur Boxing Association had targeted three boxers to qualify for the games in Beijing but five boxers have qualified, which is a marked improvement on the figures for recent games and the most since the games in Barcelona in 1992. Apart from the exploits of world and European champion Katie Taylor, the IABA high performance programme has seen great success, with Kenneth Egan winning a European bronze medal at light heavyweight in 2006 and numerous medals won at international championships at senior and junior grades.
In athletics, Derval O'Rourke won a world indoor title, the gold medal in the 60 metre hurdles, while David Gillick retained his European indoor 400 metre title. Eileen O'Keeffe had a fabulous sixth place finish in the final of the hammer competition at the world championships in Osaka last year. They are among 13 Irish athletes who, to date, have achieved the "A" standard for the games in Beijing, a significant accomplishment for this talented young team.
In rowing, Ireland's lightweight four have been among the best in the world in recent years, winning world championship silver and bronze medals, as well as securing the world cup in 2006. They have yet to qualify for the games in Beijing, but the signs are good following a fifth place finish at a recent world cup event in Munich. Ireland is represented by a talented rowing squad which has achieved multiple international successes in recent years, notably qualification of the heavyweight four for the games in Beijing.
In recent days Jason Smyth broke his own world record for the 100 metres for visually impaired athletes. One of the outstanding Paralympic athletes competing on the world stage, Jason is the highest profile name among a talented squad across a number of sports who have won multiple medals at championship level in recent years.
In sailing a boat has qualified in four of the 11 Olympic Games disciplines, exceeding the stated target. With a focus on the games in London in 2012, the ISA should be proud of its campaign and looks forward with optimism to following the careers of Ciara Peelo, Tim Goodbody and Ger Owens, among others.
Without detailing the career of every Irish athlete, there have been significant performances: in cycling, David O'Loughlin finished sixth in the world track championships; in shooting, Philip Murphy finished second in the world championships; and in fencing Siobhán Byrne recently qualified for the games in Beijing. There have been other notable performances in canoeing, the triathlon and badminton.
At this point, we can project that there will be an increase in the number of qualifications on the figures for the games in Athens in 2004, both in the number of athletes representing Ireland and the number of sports represented in the team in Beijing. It is also worth mentioning that the planning regime has advanced considerably since 2004. After the games in Athens it would have been difficult to identify many of the current prospective Olympians. Today, we could predict with a high degree of accuracy the composition of the Olympic and Paralympic Games squads for London in 2012.
The final composition of the Irish team is unknown and it is up to the Olympic Council of Ireland to select the team for the games in Beijing. While I am reluctant to speculate on the likely performances of the team, we are confident that we can meet our stated goal of having six finalists or the equivalent. The individual members of the team have achieved a lot in the past few years and I know they will do everything within their means to make the country proud in Beijing. Similarly, the Paralympic Council of Ireland selects the team for the games in Beijing. Without raising expectations, we are confident that we can meet our stated objective of having 12 finalists or the equivalent at the Paralympic Games in September. We expect athletes to produce their greatest performance on a selected day once every four years, under the greatest scrutiny, in a hostile environment and against the toughest competitors they will ever face.
The Olympic Games are a very high bar by which to judge an individual career or the high performance programme. Any success we achieve in the Olympics Games will be truly worth celebrating. However, we must keep our perspective, understand the challenges we set for our young athletes and judge them fairly in the context of their entire careers.
The various sports bodies involved are dedicated to improving the system for elite athletes. Progress has been made and the sports bodies will hand over a talented and committed team to the Olympic Council of Ireland. We have always acknowledged the role of the OCI within Irish sport. It is at this point in the Olympic Games cycle, with the games due to commence in less than 80 days, that it takes centre stage. We appreciate that it has put a lot of effort and planning into the Beijing games. We work closely with it through the Olympic performance committee and have supported its efforts with significant financial aid. It has been grant-aided in 2008 to the tune of €587,000 — in fact, it has received more than €1.9 million over the course of the Olympic Games cycle. This represents a significant portion of the total investment made in high performance sport by the council. This speaks loudly in terms of our practical engagement with it and its involvement in Irish sport.
I make special mention of the Paralympic Council of Ireland which is an exemplary sports body which has delivered excellent support to elite athletes with a disability for many years. Ireland has been consistently successful at the Paralympic Games. This is a competitive global sports environment in which success does not come easily. The Paralympic Council of Ireland will send a team of 44 Irish athletes to Beijing in September. This is an increase on the number sent to Athens and a substantial achievement in itself, as most European countries have seen a decrease in team size since the games in Athens. While I do not want to speculate on results, I am happy to say those athletes have benefited from an excellent support structure.
A key recommendation of the various reports on high performance sport is the establishment of an Irish Institute of Sport. This new entity was given the green light in 2006 and much work has been done since in building the new agency, the remit of which is to deliver world-class services directly to elite athletes. The team at the institute is led by Seán Kelly and I highlight the quality of the individuals appointed in the key operational areas. The council is confident that their work is of the highest quality and will be of great benefit to our elite athletes. The next step is to establish the institute as a subsidiary of the council under new legislation, a matter discussed in the Dáil recently. It was never anticipated that the institute would make a major impact before the games in Beijing. The institute is a medium to long-term project. Its legislative status is not an issue that will impact on performances in Beijing. The council's primary interest is to ensure the institute can deliver world-class services to our elite athletes. The means of that delivery are secondary in nature. The institute's programmes will be of great benefit to our elite athletes. Its operational plan, publicly announced at its conference in January, is on track.
I now turn to the combating of doping in sport. The first priority of the Irish Sports Council on its establishment in 1999 was to put in place a recognised and robust anti-doping programme. We have adopted a unified and harmonised approach to combating doping across all sports. The council's fundamental objectives are based on the Council of Europe's anti-doping convention, the first formal mechanism for international standardisation. The convention was formally ratified by the Government in 2003. At the same time, it also signed the Copenhagen declaration committing Ireland to supporting the world anti-doping code. With the advent of the world code, the council introduced the Irish anti-doping rules, to which all national governing bodies of sport are signatories. The rules were adopted in 2004 and are now the basis of all anti-doping matters in Ireland. This has placed Ireland in a leading position internationally. The Government will soon ratify the UNESCO international convention against doping in sport, meeting our final formal obligation in this area.
Under the anti-doping programme, there are three main areas of activity: testing, education and research. We are engaged in some interesting education and research projects, including work on sports nutrition and supplements, an issue specifically referred to in the 2005 report of this committee. In 2007 the council completed 1,135 tests — an increase of 86 on the figure for 2006. The total comprised 886 tests under the national programme and 249 under the user pays programme. This is a very high number of tests by international standards. Under the national programme, 60% of the tests carried out were out of competition, which was in line with the intended target. In total, individuals involved in 37 sports were tested under the programme. Every athlete who will represent Ireland at the Olympic and Paralympic Games will be tested under the programme in advance of the games. In fact, we guarantee that they will be tested at least three times prior to the games. Their international federations will also test them. In addition, the athletes will be subject to testing prior to and during the games.
The budget for the anti-doping programme in 2008 is €1.8 million. The programme is operated by the anti-doping unit of the council. Currently, the unit comprises five officers. In addition, the testing programme is now operated in totality by the council. This requires a team of subcontracted part-time testing personnel based all over the country. The unit reports to the council anti-doping committee chaired by a distinguished consultant physician, Professor Brendan Buckley of Cork Regional Hospital. Members of the committee provide analytical guidance and all have their own wide-ranging area of experience to support the work of the council.
There are three main challenges in the medium term. First, this area requires constant updating of knowledge procedures and policies. WADA will introduce new rules at the end of this year which will be rolled out in Ireland. Second, there will have to be new protocols in terms of sharing information with other statutory authorities, including the Garda Síochána and customs and excise as part of the new approach to anti-doping. Legislation may be required in this area. Third, we will continue with our education programme to help all sports participants under the risks associated with doping. I thank the committee for its time.
I thank Mr. Treacy.
I welcome Mr. Treacy and the delegation. How much of the council's budget is used for drug testing? As somebody who likes sport, I have no time for the Olympic Games anymore. There is no point watching them. One sees people win gold medals and five years later, they must give them back because they have been caught with drugs. I am glad a great deal of testing is taking place here because drug taking is not fair to competitors trying to live within the law.
How much of the council's overall budget is used for administration and how much is used for sport? Will the council administer the funding made available by the Government to the GAA players? If so, how will it do that? Should the women who play football and those who play amateur soccer get some funding? How will the council administer this scheme? There is a large number of players. I expect that at some stage, somebody will bring a test case against the Government. If it funds the GAA, it will have to fund other sports organisations. Does the council have the resources, including the manpower, to administer this scheme?
I welcome the local sports partnership but I hope too much is not spent on administration. Is it fair that the same amount of money is given to every county? Mayo, Dublin and Cork are larger counties and should get more funding than smaller counties.
Has the council made funding available to provide coaches to national schools to help those who are not good at sport? It is fine for people who are good at sport because they will develop and move on. What about those who are left behind, particularly at primary level? If they are left behind at primary level, they will probably lose interest in sport. Will the council consider making some funding available to primary schools for coaches?
What percentage of the council's budget goes to the horseracing industry? It is well looked after. Should the council or the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food do that? I would like to see the money going into sport and to people playing sport rather than into administration and the horseracing industry.
I welcome the delegation and thank it for a very interesting presentation. I also welcome the progress that has been made here in terms of sporting activities and achievement for many reasons, including from the point of view of society, combatting obesity and the value to the participants in sport.
The council is putting €1.8 million into anti-doping measures, which is a significant amount of money. This country does not have a good track record, and I refer to the medal winners in the past two Olympic Games. The first involved a swimmer and the consequences and outcome were certainly questionable in terms of the availability and use of drugs. In the last Olympic Games, the horse who won the gold medal was provided with drugs which enhanced his performance.
What kind of education programmes are provided to athletes? Obviously, there are serious health implications for people who avail of performance enhancing drugs over a period. We know that from the American scene and we know of some of the consequences for the athletes.
The use of performance enhancing drugs is cheating, is illegal and it damages our reputation as a country. I refer to those wearing the green shirt, as Mr. John Treacy did with great distinction in the Olympics. We forget the negative-spin off for those found cheating in terms of representing this country. What specific actions are taken to educate and to provide information?
I appreciate Mr. Treacy said there will be substantial testing prior to the Olympic Games but we need to do more than that. Mr. Treacy said anti-doping measures are provided to 37 sports, which is quite substantial.
Serious questions need to be asked and answered on access to these performance enhancing drugs, the monitoring of them and the consequences of them. The consequences concern this country and the reputation of our athletes, and so on. Already this year, a swimmer who intended to participate has been found positive in the first test, although I am not sure about the follow up one. We need to consider very carefully what performance enhancing drugs are doing to the reputation of this country.
I refer to funding generally for the Sports Council. I would like to hear Mr. Treacy's comments on capital funding versus current funding and the relative importance of that in terms of supporting sport. Delegations which have appeared before the committee previously said that while capital funding might be quite good and that we have many edifices, buildings and sports facilities, very often current funding is not as good as they would like.
Will Mr. Treacy comment a little more on the council's relationship with the Olympic Council of Ireland? I understand athletes must achieve a certain standard to be considered for the Olympic Games. Perhaps Mr. Treacy will comment on the role of the Olympic Council of Ireland in terms of getting athletes to Beijing?
I am delighted to be in the presence of Mr. John Treacy who brought us so much pleasure over the years. I have not met him before so it is a big honour to have him here. He made us very proud in years gone by and I am delighted to meet him.
We have all seen films and heard radio documentaries on the doping cheats and people who try to manipulate sports results in whatever sporting field in which they are involved. Is the council able to keep ahead of the cheats? What information has the council in terms of detection of these laboratories in which people manufacture these appalling drugs which not only make athletes cheats but which have a detrimental effect on the body, as Deputy Upton said? As someone who was heavily involved in sport at school and in college, it is appalling that athletes have to resort — possibly because of financial gain — to cheating. How is the Irish Sports Council keeping up with the activities of the doping cheats?
The high performance unit obviously has access to top nutritional, physiotherapy and other expertise. Would it be possible for our guests to provide additional information on the unit? I would have liked to have had access to such a unit when I was younger. The unit sounds fantastic and our athletes are benefiting greatly from its services.
How closely does the Irish Sports Council work with the Olympic Council of Ireland? Do the representatives of the two bodies meet frequently? In what areas do their activities overlap?
I am extremely interested in the provision of sports facilities for primary schoolchildren. I do not know the nature of the Irish Sports Council's role in that regard. Some schools have extremely poor, substandard sports facilities. Certain schools only have a small yard with a tarmac surface, perhaps a bicycle shed and no sports facilities. In the light of rising obesity levels and poor nutrition, we could target schools, particularly those at primary level, which require such facilities. If one becomes involved in and develops a love of sport at an early age, there is a chance that one will continue with one's activities in secondary school and at third level.
I welcome the delegation and thank Mr. Treacy for his comprehensive presentation.
As public representatives, members have had experience of the deficiencies in the provision of facilities, etc. Mr. Treacy briefly referred to the Olympic Games which will be held in London in 2012. Has consideration been given to the opportunities that might arise in this regard for the Irish Sports Council? These opportunities might be financial in nature or they might involve gaining experience at training camps and other facilities throughout the country. The former Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Martin, led a delegation to London to identify the opportunities that might arise. What is the council's role in respect of the 2012 Olympic Games?
On the anti-doping programme, my experience lies in the sport of cycling. No more than in any other sport, many of the cases highlighted in cycling are those which are sensational in nature, particularly in the context of the Tour de France. There are thousands of people who partake in the sport of cycling and who are targeted in this regard. What role does the council have in counteracting the negative views and bad press that are a direct result of doping? Does it co-operate with the Department of Health and Children regarding information and publicity campaigns relating to the positive aspects of sport and becoming involved therein?
Ba mhaith liom fáilte a chur roimh an toscaireacht anseo. Chuaigh an tuarascáil a chuir Mr. Treacy os ár gcomhair i bhfeidhm go mór orm.
I was delighted that the report with which we were presented on sport was positive in nature. The negative aspects are often amplified out of all proportion. We should remind ourselves that there is not a single element of society which has not been affected by scandal. In that context, we should not magnify what happened in sport. We should also consider the importance of putting forward strong role models for young people. Never have such role models been more necessary. Sport is an ideal means by which to put forward such role models.
It is interesting that 52 years after his Olympic Games success Ronnie Delaney remains an iconic figure. I am sure he could not in his wildest dreams have envisaged a situation where representatives of the Irish Sports Council would be coming before an Oireachtas committee to be questioned about sport in an almost interrogative manner. To some extent, a clinical aspect has entered sport which has removed part of the spirit of sportsmanship and inspiration from it. I recall a particular hurler who in the 1960s and 1970s used to milk the cows in the morning, catch a train at Thurles, come to Dublin and win an all-Ireland medal, catch a train back home in the evening and return to his farming chores. When that human aspect is removed, sport loses the influence it might have in encouraging young people to strive to achieve more.
Too much pressure is placed on athletes. The media do not make life easy for them. The demands they make on athletes place unbelievable pressure on them. A strong psyche is vital to anyone involved in competitive sport. If athletes are continually obliged to read stories of an intrusive nature about them or their families, it does not do them any good. If a soccer manager steps out of line for a couple of days, everyone demands his head. Sport should not be like this. I would like the media to take a responsible approach to those involved in sport.
When the Special Olympics were held in Ireland, there was a huge surge of pride. Some time later I visited Shanghai in China and met its number one citizen. At the time Shanghai was preparing to host the Special Olympics and it was amazing the way the authorities there looked to Ireland as an example of how to proceed. Shanghai has a population of 20 million, which shows the power a small country such as Ireland can wield in international sport.
I wish our athletes well. We should treat them well when it comes to publicity, etc. We should also support the provision of funding for those involved in sport. When one considers the amount of money spent on trying to correct previous mistakes or on remedial action aimed at saving young people from disaster, any investment in sport is important and welcome.
What are the views of our guests on the pressures placed on athletes? To some extent, these pressures are peripheral in nature. I do not expect our guests to be critical of the media. However, should we seek to create a climate that is more conducive to the spirit of sport? Do we all have a role to play in that regard?
I welcome Mr. Treacy and the other members of the delegation. Their appearance is extremely important, particularly in the light of the fact that Irish people are mad about sport.
I request that the representatives of the Irish Sports Council be invited to come before us again before the summer recess in order that we might discuss its everyday involvement with sport, sports partnerships, recreational activities, etc. I hope the Chairman will accede to my request, particularly in the light of the commitment given by the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs in respect of recreation and my view that sport can be an alternative to drug and alcohol abuse and anti-social behaviour. Deputy White referred to sport in schools and Deputy Ring referred to the GAA, etc. The council occupies an extremely important position in sport. We should invite Mr. Treacy and his colleagues to return in order that we might discuss a wider range of issues relating to its involvement with communities and organisations and in education.
With regard to the subject we are here to discuss, there is a cycle in the number of athletes who are trying to get to the Olympics Games at great personal sacrifice. We must wonder whether the funding provided by the Government is sufficient for each individual athlete. I never think it is because of the commitment athletes must make with regard to diet and so on. Because I am living in Athy, I know of the boxers at the local boxing club, St. Michael's. Initially five of them were in with a chance of getting to the Olympic Games and thankfully one of them has qualified. I see the money they are getting and while it is welcome, one must wonder whether it is enough for them to meet their commitments.
I would like to ask Mr. Treacy and his group about maximising the market value of the individual in terms of getting something out of it for themselves. Does the Irish Sports Council have any remit in this regard? Does it deal with the relevant national organisations for the sports in which the athletes are involved to try to maximise the marketing of individuals? The athletes give a lifetime of commitment but this is condensed into such a short period. I often wonder whether they actually get value out of it through marketing of individuals and what they are entitled to. This could add to the level of funding they receive which, although welcome, is far short of the monetary worth of the enjoyment and entertainment they provide. There is a major difference — although we may begin to question it nowadays — between professional athletes and the amateur athletes we see on a daily basis playing sports. That gap may be narrowing and this may be what is causing the problems we are seeing in the GAA and so on. Does Mr. Treacy see the value in what I am trying to say? If so, does the council have a part to play, or does it do a deal with the national organisations?
There have been rows before about this issue but I no longer see reports in the media about the Irish Sports Council vis-à-vis the Olympic Council of Ireland, etc. There seems to be more cohesion and understanding has improved since Mr. Treacy took over the position. We hope this will continue. The constitution of the Olympic Council of Ireland encompasses 57 sports. Are there any representatives on the council of the Irish Sports Council?
We spoke about drugs, the bane of our lives in every rural and urban community. There is a constant threat of having to deal with people suffering from drug abuse. Obviously, when this is extrapolated into sport, there is an attractiveness about it. If one is good at sport and taking drugs, the representatives know the rest of the story. It is a major problem for us all. In the constitution it is stated five officers deal with this issue, one of whom is Dr. May. What are the qualifications of the others in giving advice and so on? We all remember the case of Michelle Smith and the drug tests involved. It certainly seemed to be an exercise in bad PR. While everyone agrees that this must be done, the way it was done at the time resulted in bad PR.
With regard to education on drugs, I would like to know what links there are between Dr. May's team and the national organisations. What programmes are being put in place, not so much for elite athletes but for the athletes of tomorrow? We need to ensure the athletes who will compete in 2012 fully understand where we are going. It must be very difficult to face up to the fact that one will be tested three times by the Irish Sports Council, a number of times by one's own organisation and also at Olympic Council of Ireland level. That is a major undertaking, rightly so. If one is educated in this system and grows into it as one prepares for the Olympic Games, it makes a difference.
My final question is about funding. If I am correct, it seems there has been a reduction. Mr. Treacy stated €5.13 million had been made available to 15 sports this year. Obviously, there is extra funding available because of the Olympic Games. He also stated the international carding scheme had a budget of €2.3 million and that the Irish Institute of Sport would invest €835,000 in new programmes this year. Does the latter figure represent a reduction, or has that level been the norm in recent years? Alternatively, to give the Minister the benefit of the doubt, does it represent an increase on the previous level? Obviously, the provision of funding is vitally important to ensure the athletes of tomorrow, as well as of today, will be given every opportunity.
I am delighted to see the representatives of the Irish Sports Council. Like Deputy White, I am in awe in the presence of one of our great sporting heroes and a neighbouring county man, Mr. Treacy. I probably covered the last ten or 12 miles with him the last time he was at the Olympic Games, although I was sitting up in bed at the time watching. I can still remember the commentary, which gave everybody a great lift. I am delighted to meet him in person.
I have a number of questions about the role of the Irish Sports Council in conjunction with the sports partnerships being rolled out. Taking an overview of the current position in sport in general, I must mention organisations such the GAA which has been hugely successful in the delivery of facilities in all counties and constituencies, as well as the work being done by the FAI and the IRFU. Athletics seems to be one of the poor relations in terms of facilities. The provision of running tracks and so on seems to represent a one-off cost; there are not many ongoing costs related to their upkeep. What is the role of the Irish Sports Council in the provision of such facilities? Many young people have never held a javelin or been exposed to the opportunity to fence. There are many sports to which we would not have been introduced. What plans are there to introduce such sports at primary school level? I welcome the development of various sports and particularly the fact that we will now have sportsmen competing at the top end in the equestrian field, as well as in sailing, canoeing, rowing and swimming. These are all sports suitable for an island nation and on which we can concentrate and perhaps excel. Is there a focused demand for the ongoing development of specific sports that we can target? We are all the greatest sportspeople who never were because we are not sure of the route we could have taken if we had had the chance to throw a discus or attempt other sports. How can we introduce them? Is there a plan to deal with this?
I particularly welcome the funding the Irish Sports Council is putting into the Paralympic Games. As a wheelchair user, due to a road traffic accident, I am always conscious of that effort. I would love to have competed, probably in the swimming arena or the marathon, but there were always time constraints. However, I am making excuses and know that sportspeople hate this. I acknowledge the major contribution made on behalf of people with disabilities.
There is huge potential to encourage young people to become involved in sport. We are always hearing that there is nothing for them to do. I am aware of the major effort being made throughout the country in this regard. Deputy Wall mentioned boxing clubs. The level of engagement this involves and the buy-in by communities when we have good, strong clubs are exceptional. Are there any plans to encourage the roll-out of such facilities?
While I appreciate the efforts being made at the top end of the game for the elite sportspeople, what plans has the council, or how does it think we can help, to help young athletes develop? Significant costs are involved in delivering children to swimming pools or training facilities, but what is being done about the children who do not have that opportunity? We should have some kind of plan in place to help identify people at a young age so that we can focus on them and help bring them through the system.
I thank Mr. Treacy and his team from the Sports Council for the presentation. I heard an interview with Ronnie Delaney some weeks ago in which he spoke about the lack of support in his time. I am sure the same was true in Mr. Treacy's time. It is great to hear of the positive structures being put in place and the scientific back-up being provided. The overall impression I have got from the presentation is that the council appears to be happy with the funding it is getting from the Department. I understood from talking to Deputy Mitchell that the council had sought a special allocation for this Olympic year, but that this was turned down by the Minister for Finance. Would the council throw some light on that?
I would like clarification with regard to what the Sports Council means when talking about the highest level of coaching and intervention. Does this mean that young athletes the Sports Council considers are not getting the proper coaching will not get funding or that if they get coaching abroad they will not be funded? What implications has this for people involved in coaching here? Over recent months I have seen that some young athletes have changed their coaches. What are the implications regarding funding in such situations. How does coaching funding work?
Previous speakers have mentioned doping and the testing of athletes and how the tests are conducted. It appears there are five officers and several contract people who test athletes around the country. In the case of team sports, how is the testing conducted? This being an Olympic year, will there be a bigger emphasis on testing our athletes and does this mean there will be less testing for team sports? Is there variation in the testing from year to year? Are there more tests carried out, for example, on rugby players because rugby is a professional game whereas GAA players are amateurs? What is the situation in that regard?
I have been involved with the GAA, which is effectively an amateur sport. When the word doping is mentioned in GAA circles, the word most associated with it is "cheating". I am aware that when testing was introduced for Gaelic footballers initially, there was a great fear that they might go into their local chemist's shop and buy something to cure a cold and be caught for doping inadvertently. I am aware there are explanatory booklets available for all of the people involved, particularly those involved in amateur and team sports. However, when people have full time jobs and rush to training and rush home again, they do not have time to read them. The big concern for these innocent players, who are role models, is that they would be called a cheat, which would be unfortunate. I understand that 37 sports are subject to dope testing regulations. Are there still some sports that are outside of the regulations? Is golf, for example, included?
With regard to the target set for medals in the Olympics, is the big emphasis on minority sports where there is a better chance of winning a medal than in some of the more colourful events? Deputy Ring mentioned the GAA grants. Is the Sports Council happy with the progress on the implementation of that scheme? When will the grants be paid to players? Will they be paid at the end of the season?
I welcome Mr. Treacy and his colleagues. Like Deputy Connick, I recall listening to Jimmy Magee going berserk when Mr. Treacy won his silver medal. We hope there will be similar winners this time round.
In terms of Mr. Treacy's association with the Olympic Council, we are all delighted that previous rows have been resolved to everyone's satisfaction. With regard to the allocation of the €587,000 to the Council, how is that calculated? Is it so much per athlete or how is it allocated? Mr. Treacy said the Institute of Sport would be a subsidiary body under the Sports Council. What are the benefits of it being an institute rather than being run as a separate entity as heretofore?
On the doping issue, it is a major embarrassment to the country when any of our athletes or players get involved in doping. Mr. Treacy spoke about testing athletes three times between now and the beginning of the games. Are the standards of technology we use comparable to the standards that will be operated by the Olympic Games committee? Is there a difference? I have read reports regarding how professional dopers can time their usage of banned substances so that no trace can be found when they come to run their race or participate in the Olympics or in a test. They seem to be so professional that they can know exactly when a banned substance will go out of their bodies so that if they are tested, it will not show up.
I welcome the delegation from the Sports Council to our meeting. I want to focus on one area, namely, the dearth of facilities in areas like the one I represent, Kildare North, where even the GAA clubs are under pressure as a result of the increasing young population. Soccer clubs are also coming under pressure. Recently, Ronnie Delaney opened an athletic track in Celbridge for a club 30 years in existence. I am aware Mr. Treacy has been very supportive of that club. I agree with Deputy Connick that we need in particular to focus on athletics and on involving young people. There is also a huge need for facilities for other sports in conurbation areas that are coming under enormous pressure because of massive development, an ever-increasing young population and no facilities for them.
I have one supplementary question relating to high performance. Mr. Treacy spoke about Montreal and Australia and their experience after the 1976 Olympics. Will he expand on what he said? How did they improve performance and what did they do to get it right? We should consider that model.
I apologise for my late arrival, due to the fact I was speaking in the Dáil on the important Dublin Transportation Authority Bill. I have two questions on funding. My colleague already mentioned funding for the Olympics training programme. I know from a freedom of information request that the Department was of the opinion that at least €5 million extra would be required in an Olympic year. I presume that request came from the sports council. That funding did not transpire; no additional money was given for the Olympic year. What has been the impact of this decision, if any? Was it the case that the money was taken out of the pot and something else had to go by the board?
I know the sports council and Mr. Treacy in particular, has written to the Minister about multi-annual funding. A number of individual sporting bodies have appeared before this committee and they have all stressed the importance of this funding. Has the sports council received any response from the Department about the possibility of future multi-annual funding? I suppose it is too early for the new Minister even to have read the letter.
Mr. John Treacy
I thank the committee members for a very comprehensive set of questions. I will deal first with the questions about anti-doping and then deal with the questions about funding and the Olympic council relationship, the high performance system and other general questions. I will ask Dr. Una May to comment on the education and health aspects.
There is no good news on the issue of anti-doping but only bad news. It is unfortunate but that is the situation. The Irish Sports Council has an obligation to ensure our athletes are tested and we have an obligation to ensure any Irish athlete leaving these shores is not on drugs. We do our utmost to ensure this happens. We spend €1.8 million of our budget of €57 million on anti-doping testing. In relative terms it is a high degree of testing compared with other countries. We have a small pool of athletes to test and we make no apologies for testing anyone. The athletes appreciate that we must test them in order to keep an even playing field.
Deputy Ring referred to various scandals in the past at the Olympic Games. Unfortunately this has been part of the Olympic Games in recent times. We are not without our own scandals and this saddens me, having participated in the Olympic Games myself. Anytime I see something tarnishing the Olympic Games I am saddened. However, the world anti-doping agency was set up between governments and the international Olympic movement to fight the doping of athletes. Significant progress has been made since this agency was established in harmonising standards across all countries. I can say that our standards are the same as other countries. We have gone to great lengths to ensure all the governing bodies have signed up to the anti-doping programme, including golf. The 37 sports referred to earlier are all sports that could be enhanced by using anti-doping testing. We target our testing and target those sports with a track record or which may have had positive doping test results in the past. This is no different from the procedure in any other country. We have a comprehensive programme which is nationwide.
Because of the emphasis on the Olympic Games this year, we will be testing the team sports and will continue to aim for an increase in testing in team sports. Reference was made to GAA players who might innocently take something. Our education programme is aimed at addressing those issues. Any athlete competing at national level has a responsibility to ensure what he or she uses is not a banned drug. This is an obligation on those participating in a sport and all the sports have agreed on this. Education is a primary factor. We use the media to highlight various issues during the course of the year. This is not the nice part of what the sports council does but we run a professional programme. We look to the world anti-doping agency for advice and it in turn looks to us.
I will ask Dr. May to comment on the education programme which we have developed in tandem with the sports' governing bodies and on the health aspects.
Dr. Una May
With regard to the staff in the unit, since last year we have a dedicated education officer which means that 20% of the staff of the unit is dedicated to education. We have developed our education programmes significantly since the early years. At that time the emphasis was on providing the athletes who were going to be tested with the information so that they did not inadvertently test positively by taking medicines. We also ensured they were informed about the procedures. Our programme has evolved and we now have a significant part of our programme aimed at more awareness issues and anti-doping.
We are developing a programme to be launched next month in partnershipwith WADA which has an outreach programme. We are focusing on younger level and developmental athletes. We will be going to events such as the community games and the GAA Féile where we will create this level of awareness among younger athletes. We have provided many education opportunities to individual athletes and also provided them with facilities and information and information resources. As part of our awareness programme we are developing the use of fact sheets which are being provided to athletes. These fact sheets deal with, for instance, the side-effects of drugs and the different supplements which they may be tempted to try. This information is being provided as part of this new programme.
Mr. John Treacy
I will deal with the questions about funding. In an ideal world the sports council would like more funding for spending on sport. The economic climate in Ireland has changed quite a bit and we were very happy that we did not have a reduction in our funding in an Olympic year. We are grateful to the Department and to the Minister for ensuring this did not happen. We received some extra funding at the end of last year and which we invested in the high performance programmes of the sports' governing bodies. This was a valuable piece of funding. Historically, much of the funding is required in the year prior to the Olympic Games. There has not been an impact on funding. We have been able to roll out the programmes in conjunction with the governing bodies of sport. These bodies naturally would like more funding but we have a limited budget and we work with the governing bodies on that basis and this is important.
It was never anticipated that the institute would be set up as being independent of the sports council. The Government decision at the time was that the institute would be set up as a subsidiary of the council. The institute has a budget which has not been reduced in any way and it is also responsible for the carding of athletes. These are new programmes which are coming on stream this year. An extra €2.5 million is going to the institute so that it can get on with its business such as carding. The legislation is not impacting on the institute. It has the funding, the programmes and the personnel. As I said in my presentation it will probably be in the next cycle before it makes its impact. It is doing a lot of work by way of direct intervention with our athletes.
Let me talk for a few minutes about our relationship with the Olympic Council of Ireland, about which there has been a great deal of media speculation. We have worked hard to ensure we have a cordial relationship with the Olympic Council of Ireland. The Olympic performance committee which usually meets on a quarterly basis will meet more frequently in the run-up to this summer's Olympic Games. Many issues are hammered out at such meetings. The funding that we give to the Olympic Council of Ireland relates to its programmes. For example, the Olympic Council of Ireland arranges athlete conferences in the run-up to the games. It pays for coaches to go to Beijing as part of the process of preparing athletes. All the various programmes are funded by the Irish Sports Council. We also fund the administrative side of the Olympic Council of Ireland. Operationally, it works fine and we get on with our business. We have worked closely with the Olympic Council of Ireland during the years. However, I do not suggest our relationship is without its hiccups but we try to conduct our business while keeping any rows between ourselves. That is obviously helpful. The sports governing bodies and athletes do not like to hear that rows have reached the public domain. They prefer us to get on with our business and that is what we do. We work well together at an operational level.
I would like to make a couple of remarks about the high performance system that has evolved. When we provide funding for the Olympic Games, we give priority to the sports governing bodies which have a track record of success and have done something of international sporting significance. The Irish Sports Council prioritises certain sports. We work closely with the governing bodies in developing performance plans and the athletes in terms of direct intervention, etc. I will ask my colleague, Mr. Kirwan, to comment on the operation of the high performance unit. The unit's work which involves meeting athletes on an individual basis to work out their needs in terms of coaching and other interventions represents a significant change from the approach adopted during past Olympic Games cycles.
Mr. Finbarr Kirwan
When the Irish Sports Council's high performance unit works directly with the governing bodies, its initial work involves the drawing up of performance plans. Under a project established in 2003, we sit down with the high performance leaders in each of the targeted performance sports to establish the training, competition, sport science and sports medicine needs of the athletes. The aim of this work is to ensure the major needs of our athletes are taken care of when they compete in major international competitions. Boxing is a good example of a sport in which progress has been made on foot of the performance plans put in place by the governing body. Just one Irish boxer qualified for each of the 2000 and 2004 Olympic Games, but five have qualified for this year's games.
I would like to speak about the interventions made in respect of individual athletes. I make no apologies for saying some of our athletes are better than others. When officials from the high performance unit have conversations with athletes, we ask them what they need. I was asked, in that context, about coaching interventions and the requirements of athletes. Good athletes cannot make the most of their talent unless they have good coaches. Athletes in certain sports need to be sent overseas to avail of the best possible coaching. If we can, we bring the best coaches to Ireland. The Irish Institute of Sport is examining the quality of coaching support within the Irish structures. We have to address that issue while preparing for the Olympic Games.
Reference was made to the manner in which athletes handle the pressure on them. A rigorous programme of sports psychology is made available to athletes. When an athlete goes to the line, his or her mind needs to be totally focused on that event and what he or she is going to do. When athletes get an opportunity to engage with quality sports psychologists, they can leave behind many of the issues they may have, at least for the duration of the event in which they are participating. In conjunction with the Irish Institute of Sport, the Irish Sports Council is putting in place a career and lifestyle programme for athletes. This programme will be of critical importance after the Beijing Olympic Games, when a number of athletes will retire or start to consider what their second career will be. We will help them to make decisions. Since 2004, we have made significant progress in our engagement with sports governing bodies and athletes.
Mr. John Treacy
Local sports partnerships which represent a key part of the Irish Sports Council's work were mentioned by members of the committee. We recently launched the national network of partnerships which have been rolled out throughout the country. Their remit relates to participation at local level. It is a question of getting people involved in sport or physical activity, regardless of age or ability. A research document to be published tomorrow will highlight the importance of involvement in sport from a health perspective. The report suggests a person who actively participates in sport is equivalent to being 14 years younger than someone who is not involved in sport. That is something we can all buy into. The partnerships have been established to promote physical activity and sport at local level. They also play a role in helping clubs to provide coaching courses and develop codes of ethics. An important aspect of their work is the provision of support for clubs and volunteers. They also work with local authorities which we are trying to encourage to invest in local sports partnerships, for example, by providing money for development officers. The direct interventions made by the partnerships in local communities are most effective when the partnerships work in tandem with development officers. A great deal of work needs to be done in many communities.
While the Irish Sports Council has no direct involvement in the provision of facilities, the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism which does have such responsibility asks the council for guidance when major facilities are being developed. We are happy to assist in any way we can. We echo what has been said about the need for dual — school and community — use of facilities. It is important that the various sports bodies be allowed to use the same facilities. A substantial level of resources has been invested at local level in recent years to ensure facilities are in place. We have conducted research which indicates that people who wish to participate in sport are not deterred, to any great extent, by a lack of facilities. Factors such as a lack of time are more significant in that regard.
I was asked about GAA funding and the player grants scheme. That funding will be paid in September. The scheme will be administered by the GAA. The Irish Sports Council will put accountability procedures in place with the GAA. Like any other organisation which dispenses funding on behalf of the council, the GAA will have to report back to the council. Over €2 million has been made available under the council's women in sport programme which encourages women to participate in sports events. The programme which is successful is operated through the national sports governing bodies and the local sports partnerships.
Members spoke about the deployment of coaches in primary schools. We provide substantial funding — over €10 million — for the three main field sports, much of which is spent on deploying coaches and development officers at local level. They go into primary schools to get kids involved in sport. We work through the governing bodies of sport. We operate also the Buntús programme through our local sports partnership with primary schools in every county. That is a successful programme. We empower teachers through the training provided in the Buntús programme. We give them instruction and cards and equipment and they work at school level. Those are interventions through which we actively engage in primary schools.
I thank Mr. Treacy and his colleagues for the presentation.
We should acknowledge the great commitment given to and by Paralympic athletes. They represent us with great distinction and they have always done that. I accept somebody else has commented similarly. I acknowledge also the professional approach to the management of athletes prior to and after the Olympic Games as outlined by Mr. Kirwan, which is important.
How easy is it for people to inadvertently take performance enhancing drugs? I am a sceptic and I find it difficult to believe that somebody can use an inhaler for whatever reason and that he or she is suddenly found to test positive for a banned substance. Perhaps it is very easy for that to happen.
There was a recent case involving an athlete. Perhaps Mr. Treacy would refer to that.
Mr. John Treacy
I will deal with the issue. We are always saddened when something like that happens. Andrew Bree tested positive following the use of a Vicks product that he took in the United States. The European version of that product contains no banned substance but the US version contains a banned substance. We highlighted that product as one to watch as part of our education programme. The case came under the jurisdiction of FINA because it tested the athlete in question. From our information, the case has not been heard yet. The case saddens us. However, we need to bear in mind that it is a serious issue in terms of the anti-doping hierarchy. The information is available to athletes and it is paramount that they read it. It is their responsibility to read the information before they use any substance. Athletes need to be aware of what they put into their body.
The Irish Sports Council has an excellent relationship with the Paralympic Council, which is professionally organised and runs a fantastic programme. We work closely with it. Mr. Paul McDermott, who is present, handles much of the public relations for it. We handle the PR for many of the governing bodies of sport — the smaller organisations — and the Paralympic Council also. We make sure that the events are covered when athletes go to the Paralympic Games. We encourage the media to cover the Paralympic Games. The previous games were very well covered due in part to our cajoling to get it covered. The athletes involved are outstanding and give their all to sport. They put in all the same work as our Olympic athletes and they are incredibly dedicated. It is only right that we acknowledge them today also.
On behalf of the members I thank Mr. Treacy for the presentation and his colleagues for their contribution. I wish them every success for the year ahead. The Olympic Council of Ireland will come before the committee in July prior to its departure for Beijing. Is there any other business? No.
The joint committee adjourned at 5.45 p.m. sine die.