Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I thank members for their questions. Deputy Tom Fleming raised the possibility of Ireland hosting a future rugby world cup. We are engaged in negotiations with the Irish Rugby Football Union on this issue and they are going well. I am very hopeful that we will be able to host a world cup in due course. A great deal of research is being done in this regard, including a feasibility study, and we have had several meetings to discuss the potential that is there. This country is well capable of hosting international events, as we have proved in the past. I would be delighted to see Ireland hosting the tournament in the not too distant future.

Deputy Sandra McLellan asked about the prospects for an increase in capital funding. We all want to see that happening and I am hopeful it will be achieved. The Deputy referred to some of the difficulties encountered by retired athletes. We are seeking to alleviate those difficulties through efforts to encourage dual careers, retraining and further education. In particular, we are in discussions with the third level institutions with a view to assisting retired athletes in finding a new career after sports.

I agree with the Deputy that doping and match fixing are a major problem for all sports. I recently participated, with the Commissioner, in a panel discussion in Brussels, where we heard very strong representations, including one from Interpol, on the issue of match fixing. Interpol appealed to Governments throughout the European Union to co-operate and support each other in seeking to tackle this form of corruption. There is a data protection issue there which cannot be ignored, but there is no denying the requirement for action. If should be possible for the authorities in one jurisdiction to convey information they have received to the authorities in other jurisdictions. There is a major debate taking place in Europe on this issue and an international convention recently discussed it. If we do not take action against doping, match fixing and other types of corruption, they will destroy the entire edifice of sport. It is in everybody's interest that we seek to address them.

Deputy John O'Mahony spoke about what can be done at international level in regard to doping. It is all about co-operation and sharing information. Testing is only one tool in our potential arsenal. There is also a role for Governments and customs authorities, for example, in monitoring the types of drugs that are coming into their jurisdictions. Many of the substances we are talking about are being purchased over the Internet. That must stop and it will require everybody working together, across different jurisdictions, to eradicate the scourge. As I said, there is a question mark over efforts in this regard in the context of data protection considerations, but that difficulty is under discussion. We are fortunate in this country to have a person of Dr. Una May's calibre in our midst. The Chairman might consider inviting her to a meeting so that members can avail of her expertise. She is in demand throughout Europe as one of the foremost experts in these matters. She could explain, for instance, how the testing is done and what is required. Members should be assured that a substantial investment is being made by the Government in this area.

In regard to Swim Ireland, the Irish Sports Council does monitor and audit that body. I do not have the specific information the Deputy requested to hand, but I will ask the chief executive officer of the council, Mr. John Treacy, to respond in writing to the Deputy. It is the council's responsibility to monitor the bodies under its aegis and ensure the funding it dispenses is spent wisely. Every sporting organisation must set aside a certain amount of funding for administrative functions, but I agree that the figures the Deputy gave to do not seem to add up. I will ask Mr. Treacy to respond directly to him.