Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 May 2010
56 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport her plans to support at European Union level the European Olympic Committee’s proposal for a future sports funding programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20691/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraNow that there is a specific EU competence for sport under the Lisbon Treaty, the cooperation and coordination between Member States will be formalised, and the Commission has indicated its intention to adopt a new Communication setting out its suggested plans and priorities for European Union action to promote European sporting issues, as well as a possible proposal for a spending programme in the field of sports.
The Commission has commenced an on-line consultation process on the EU's strategic choices for the implementation of the new EU competence in the field of sport. The European Olympic Committees have prepared its ‘Proposal for a future EU Sport Funding Programme' which has been circulated to each of the 27 EU Member States for consideration when defining EU political priorities. I met recently with the President of the Olympic Council of Ireland who is also the President of the National Olympic Committee of Europe and he outlined to me the elements of the proposal.
EU sports policy was discussed for the first time in a formal Council of the European Union setting at a meeting of the Education, Youth and Culture Council on 10th May 2010.
Delegations welcomed the creation of EU competence for coordinating sports policies and underlined that EU action needed to have clear added value by comparison with national plans, respecting the subsidiarity principle and the specific nature of sport. The following areas for possible EU action were suggested:
Social and educational functions of sport, e.g. social inclusion through sport and health-enhancing physical activity, dual careers for athletes;
Sport structures, in particular those based on voluntary activity;
Fairness and openness in sport, including the fight against racism, discrimination and violence;
Physical and moral integrity of sportsmen and sportswomen, especially the fight against doping and the protection of minors;
Dialogue and close cooperation with the sports movement.
It was agreed that a possible EU financial programme supporting sports activities for the years 2012 to 2013 ought to have a limited number of priorities.
In Ireland, our most popular sports are amateur based and rely heavily on public support and volunteerism. They also play a vital role in improving the health and well-being of our citizens and in instilling a sense of place and belonging among those who play and those who follow. National policy serves to promote these aspects of sport and the new EU competence has the potential to add significant value to this work.
Under the new EU sports competence, there has been a great deal of expectation about a possible multi-annual sports programme — in terms of scale and scope. I believe that the European Commission should learn from the successes and failures of other programmes in fields such as culture and education. As Sports Minister, I would like to maximise the resources available for sport on the one hand but I also recognise the need to be realistic. From an Irish point of view, I would urge a citizen-based, sports for all focus where the impact of the expenditure will be felt at a grassroots level.
