John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 112: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism when the Irish Sports Council (Amendment) Bill will be published; the autonomy the institute of sport will have in relation to decision-making under the Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4988/08]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The purpose of the Irish Sports Council (Amendment) Bill is to provide for the granting of powers to the Irish Sports Council to establish subsidiary companies, which may include the institute of sport and coaching Ireland. Policy issues arising from the drafting of the Bill are being discussed between my Department, the Department of Finance, the Irish Sports Council and the Attorney General's office. As soon as these discussions are finalised, I look forward to publishing the Bill. Detailed arrangements for the relationship of the subsidiaries and the Irish Sports Council will be a matter for the council.

John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I know the Bill is due for publication, but will the Minister indicate what autonomy the institute of sport will have? Returning to Deputy Mitchell's question on the Olympics this year, why is an institute of sport necessary if everything is hunky dory? It is important that the institute will have autonomy. Will it get its budget from the Sports Council or the Minister directly? In another sphere, we heard of a manager being appointed and selectors being imposed upon him. The question of autonomy is important. What indication can the Minister give at this stage on whether the institute will be autonomous? If it will have a board, who will appoint it and what bodies will be on it?

The Minister mentioned the National Coaching and Training Centre, which will be transformed into Coaching Ireland. What role will it have and what changes will be made to the NCTC as a result?

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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As we progress the Bill and make final decisions on its possible content, some of the Deputy's questions will be answered. The institute will have a board and four or five key staff members have been recruited, including a chief science officer, an athlete services officer, a chief medical officer and a chief technical officer.

The Bill arose from studies following the Athens Olympics and other specific studies. It became clear that we needed to focus on particular sports, areas of excellence, strength, conditioning, psychology, performance analysis, which is important, sports medicine, sports injury management, another important area, the recruitment of elite coaches and athletes' lifestyle support. Most countries that are serious about high performance athletics have an organisation of the nature of an institute of sport to focus on these types of psychological, physical and medical management areas. The Deputy knows from his involvement in sport that such an area of excellence is necessary. The institute will continue to be based in Abbotstown and the legislation will advance as soon as we make some outstanding decisions.

John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Olympics following the Beijing games will take place in London in 2012. If the institute of sport is to be strong, vibrant and autonomous, it will need teeth. I urge the Minister to ensure, in finalising the legislation, the institute has these characteristics.

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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I am examining this issue generally in terms of sport. On the one hand, we must ensure experts have enough autonomy to do their jobs and, on the other, ensure the entire effort lines up in the same direction to achieve a result. This might seem contradictory, but I do not believe it is. I am referring to the necessary amount of autonomy to ensure we play as a team. It is a whopper of a statement, but I am sure the Deputy knows what I mean.