Noel Harrington (Cork South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome and thank the Minister of State for his presentation. Like Senator Brennan and others I welcome the way the sports capital programme operates, whereby modest amounts are given to a greater number of clubs and organisations throughout the country. This has been of great benefit. Often such clubs only need modest support and it is a great lift for them.

The Minister of State referred to dual careers in sports. This is a significant issue. In many ways sports define countries. When we think of Brazil, we think of soccer; when we think of long distance running, we think of other countries in Africa; and with middle distance running we think of north Africa. The idea of world-class sports people and athletes having to train or participate at the weekend but having to go to work on Monday essentially will not work. We need to get from a position where there is a good prospect or young athlete or sports person to a position where he is beginning to define himself in that sport. One must have some way of incentivising or dealing with employers. I know of one person in the past 12 months in west Cork who has had success as a long distance swimmer, Steve Redmond. He works a day job. Only for the generosity of his employer he simply would not have been able to achieve a fraction of what he has achieved. How do we unlock the potential of these people but not hammer the employers who look after them in their day jobs? I presume this is one of the difficulties and if the Minister of State had a steer on the issue I would be glad to hear it.

My second point relates to doping. I fully agree with the sentiments of Senator Coghlan and the Minister of State. He is passionate against doping. In the past 12 months I have heard from various commentators in the media. There seems to be a move to allow a dirty game or sport whereby everyone is free to take whatever they like and the fastest, strongest or best will win, whereby everyone is allowed to dope. I listened to some of these comments with horror. Many of the comments came from commentators who should know better. I presume the Minister of State has a view on the matter. I hear these comments more and more and the matter should be nailed on the head. It would not solve a problem but it would be a start. I do not understand that warped mentality. I am unsure what can be achieved but I would appreciate the comments of the Minister of State in this regard.