Paul Daly (Fianna Fail)

On my way here this morning, I heard an interview on "Morning Ireland" with a lady called Ann Woodlock, who is an 86-year-old who won a gold medal for Ireland in the European Masters Athletics Championships in Madeira at the weekend. It was a breath of fresh air and I take this opportunity to congratulate her. It was such a refreshing interview. It got me thinking about the fact that it was in the same news cycle as the news over the last couple of days about Shane Ryan, our Olympic swimmer, having signed up to the Enhanced Games. I compliment, congratulate and thank Shane for the service that he has given Irish sport. I heard his interview on the radio yesterday evening. What struck me was his justification for signing up to the Enhanced Games, where you can actually take drugs under a doctor's supervision. We can do nothing to change that and I have no problem with it. That is his decision. His justification for it was that it was an opportunity for him to make some money, having been on a mere €18,000 per year as an elite swimmer in the Irish elite swimming team for the Olympics.

We all get carried away with the Olympics every four years. We are all in, looking for reviews, money and meetings with the Minister for sport, and we want more medals the next time, then it dies off. Maybe it is time to revisit that. I would like to ask for the Minister for sport to come in to have a debate about that fact. We cannot influence the enhanced games. It is up to us whether we agree or disagree with it. I would be fearful that it would become a model for young people. If these lads start breaking world records and it looks like taking drugs is normalised, what influence will that have on younger people through social media, with the stature people might have with their speeds and performances? I am fearful of that. There is nothing we can do about it. They are not breaking any laws, apparently, in America. The fact that he was only on €18,000 was what struck a chord with me. Maybe we should have that conversation now as opposed to post Olympics when we are celebrating or giving out about our performances.