Alan Farrell (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

They impress upon the youngsters how important it is to participate in sport and to do so through natural means rather than using supplements.

Section 41 provides that Sport Ireland will have the power to implement the measures it deems appropriate to deliver a comprehensive, co-ordinated and effective response to doping in sport. Such measures can include testing. As I have stated, it is my opinion that we must continue to crack down on doping in elite sport events. On this note with regard to sporting heroes, it is extremely demoralising for followers of a sport to find an individual has cheated and has been stripped of a medal. It does not set a good example for younger participants. Elite athletes are often powerful role models in the eyes of young people, and for them to betray this trust and support can have a profound effect. The fact that the Bill provides for information sharing between Sport Ireland and other bodies for the purpose of combating doping in sport is very welcome as it is essential in implementing an effective approach to tackling the issue.

Section 14 requires Sport Ireland to prepare and submit a strategy statement to the Minister every five years. The first strategy statement will be required within six months of Sport Ireland’s first meeting. This is vital to ensure that Sport Ireland gets off to a running start in co-ordination with the work of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport.

I commend the Minister of State on the inclusion of section 22, which obliges the chief executive to appear before the Committee of Public Accounts and other Oireachtas committees, such as that chaired by Deputy O'Mahony. This clearly shows the commitment of the Minister of State to ensure transparency and accountability, which are pivotal for the governance of bodies such as Sport Ireland.

I also welcome section 28, which provides that Sport Ireland will continue with the development of the national sports campus in accordance with the plan which was prepared by the National Sports Campus Development Authority. It is essential we have consistency in the development of this sporting infrastructure, which this provision gives us. I have been to Abbotstown on a number of occasions and it is a terrific facility. I look forward to seeing it developed and opened up to multiple sports where young people from throughout the country will be allowed to use the facilities available. Buildings on the campus have been refurbished to become home to the headquarters of the Football Association of Ireland, the Irish Institute of Sport and the Irish Sport headquarters, and it will be the governing headquarters of 19 national sporting bodies. The accommodation of so many important and influential sporting bodies on one campus can only be positive in terms of encouraging greater levels of cross-sport initiatives focusing on a wide range of areas. It was not that long ago when a soccer match could never take place in a GAA ground or a rugby ground but this is no longer the case in most instances, which is testament to the co-operation between sporting codes. I hope this will be furthered by the amalgamation of these two agencies under one roof. A key factor in ensuring the future of the sports campus will be success in promoting use of the campus, particularly the National Aquatic Centre which is a key resource on the campus. This will be one key function of Sport Ireland and the maintenance, equipment and future development of the campus will be key in doing this and in further establishing the campus as a foremost sporting venue in the country.

I commend the Minister of State on bringing the Bill before the House and I have enjoyed this opportunity to contribute and air some of my views, particularly with regard to the FAI. I hope the Bill will be passed smoothly.

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