Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the witnesses and thank them for their presentations. Over the course of last week's and today's discussions, we have been learning a lot about concussion in sport. A number of issues came up during the discussions. It is obvious that we need clear protocols to adhere to best practice and that there are no national structures or guidelines available in schools. Many other issues also came up regarding, for example, proper concussion clinics and the need to set up an international centre of excellence, the lack of neurosurgeons and the lack of science around it all - how to recognise and treat concussion. It is also necessary to invest in education. Who do the witnesses think should be responsible for rolling out the awareness and education programmes? Should it be the schools, the sporting bodies, the Department of Health or the Department of Education and Skills? Who should ensure that a player is forced to leave the field following concussion or suspected concussion? We have heard about the team doctors and medics, but they are really only available at the highest level. Up and down the country week in, week out it is either coaches or parents who are responsible for many of the juvenile teams. We mentioned the SCAT3 test. Are all parents and coaches trained in first aid and if they are carrying a first aid kit to a match, do they have a copy of this SCAT3 paper? If it is used, how is the data collated? I believe there is no national database either. How often is the SCAT3 test taken, particularly at lower level? Would the witnesses agree that all parents and coaches should be trained in first aid? The GAA has been rolling out education programmes since 2007 and I believe they have an app now that most clubs can use. However in the all-Ireland final of last year, one of the players played the last 20 minutes concussed. Were all the guidelines adhered to on that day? Was the SCAT3 test taken? If so, how come he did not come off the pitch and how come the concussion was not identified? Regarding boxing and equestrian sports, the protocols and rules are very clearly identified. I go to a lot of boxing tournaments as I have a fierce interest in the sport and am actually attending a match on Saturday night - Katie Taylor is going to be boxing in Fermoy. Perhaps concussion is easier to identify when there is a referee and two players, but I do like the idea of the medical record books.