Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

The Minister has probably guessed that I tabled this question on foot of various debates in this Chamber and at the Joint Committee on Arts, Sport, Tourism, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs about the ongoing difficulties between the Irish Sports Council, the Olympic Council of Ireland and some of the sports governing bodies. I understand the Minister has met representatives of both councils. The Olympic Council of Ireland seems to have recommended that a change in the membership of the Irish Sports Council might help to heal the rift. While I do not know what the Minister's view of that is, I would like to assure him that the absolutely poisonous relationship between the two bodies is affecting some of the sports governing bodies. I have spoken to many people who are involved in various sports, particularly athletics. The strength of feeling and antagonism between the Irish Sports Council and the Olympic Council of Ireland is absolutely staggering. It certainly cannot be conducive to improving participation in sport or performance. I understand that after the Minister met some of those involved, he felt some progress had been made. I am sure Deputy Upton will agree with me when I say I find that hard to believe in the context of the responses that were received by members of the joint committee after its recent meeting on this issue. There was no sign in the flood of defensive and accusatory letters that were sent to us that bridges had been mended or heads had been put together. The buck stops with the Minister, who is responsible not only for ensuring public moneys are spent for the purposes for which they are allocated, but also for ensuring we get value for money. As I see it, public money is being used to indulge empire-building, ego trips and prima donna behaviour. It is not acceptable. What are the Minister's plans for changing the relationship that currently exists between the Irish Sports Council and other bodies? Is he considering using the appointments that I mentioned in my question to effect some kind of change? I really do not know who is to blame here. The Minister needs to take action to solve this problem.

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