Jillian van Turnhout (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank all the witnesses for their presentations. It builds on the presentations we heard last week also. We are on a journey of learning on this.

Using the experience from the United States, we learned last week that the protocol is that an independent person will make the decision. Deputy Ó Caoláin referred to that also. I am confused with the different sports about exactly who is making the decision because I hear different stresses on who exactly is making it. How does one deal with off-the-ball tackles, especially in team sports? One can say it is the referee but when the incident is not where the referee is watching, how does one deal with those instances?

We are dealing with the elite sporting levels and I am also concerned about how that filters down into the practice and culture of schools, clubs and counties so that the same culture and roles exist. One of the proposals put to us last week was that there should be training on pitch-side injuries but that a similar training would be given. I am concerned, if each of the sports is developing its own training, that often someone who is volunteering at a school or club level may volunteer with other sports and there may be slight differences in approach which could lead to problems. Last week we heard examples about New Zealand and South Africa. In New Zealand, there is one certification. How do we ensure that there is a consistent message for dealing with pitch-side injuries so that, whatever the sport, the same approach will be given? I believe that at the top level it will be looked after. I am more concerned that, at the schools and clubs level, the same approach filters down.

The mandatory reporting of injuries was raised with us last week. Dr. McKeever mentioned a reporting centre for concussion. How would that be done? Dr. Flannery mentioned that they keep their records but they are kept by the individual disciplines. One point we learned last week is that we do not have enough evidence and records to build up a picture of Ireland. How should we bring all those records together? Is it a matter for a sporting body or must we set up something else? As a legislator and policy-maker, I am asking for direction. What should we look for when we are making our final report?

Deputy Ó Caoláin also raised the issue of helmets. It was interesting for us to hear last week about the risk compensation that sometimes a young person may make because he or she has a helmet on. I am also concerned about the issue of bulking up. I have seen it in rugby in the past ten years since the sport has become professional, but we have also seen it in the GAA. I am concerned about the sale of products, particularly to children. We heard last week that it is all about nutrition, but at the weekend I returned to the sports shops and they do not mention nutrition. There are sporting heroes linked to these bulking-up products, including protein and creatine. I have a problem with that. I take issue with it and I wonder is there something that we should be doing as well. Whether it is the helmet or the bulking up, it makes players feel they are more invincible which will change the nature of the sport and lead to more cases of concussion because it makes for a much more barging-through type of play.

Do the witnesses believe legislation us needed and that we as legislators should be doing something?

Last week we were told to wait for two or three years to allow the different bodies to bring in their own rules and see how that goes. I would certainly be interested to hear whether there is something we should be doing at a national level, on a legislative basis or at policy level. Is there anything that the witnesses would ask we ensure is in our final report?