Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 312: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if there has been contact between his Department and the Bulgarian Ministry of Sports and Youth, including discussions in relation to a bilateral sports agreement; if any of the Irish Olympians will avail of the training opportunities in that country, close to the site of the 2004 Olympics in Greece; and if there are future plans to enhance the sports relations between both countries. [3982/04]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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Senior officials of my Department met with a representative of the Bulgarian Ministry of Youth and Sports on 12 December 2003, for preliminary discussions on the possibility of agreeing sporting exchanges between Ireland and Bulgaria. My Department is now awaiting receipt of proposals from the Ministry on behalf of any Bulgarian sports federations which may be interested in sharing experiences and expertise with Irish sports organisations. When these proposals are received, the matter will be further considered in consultation with the Irish Sports Council, the statutory body responsible for the promotion and development of sport in Ireland.

The question of training camps in preparation for the Athens 2004 Olympic Games is a matter in the first place for the Olympic Council of Ireland, who it is understood, have already established their pre-Olympic facilities.