Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 193: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he has evaluated the performance of the Irish team at the Olympic Games 2004; if his attention has been drawn to the importance of planning for the future in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24379/04]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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The Irish Sports Council, which is the statutory body charged with responsibility for the promotion and development of sport in Ireland, is directly responsible with the Olympic Council of Ireland and the relevant national governing bodies of sport, in all matters relating to the preparation and participation of Irish competitors at the Olympic Games.

My Department has already been in contact with the Irish Sports Council on Ireland's performance at the Athens Olympic Games. The council has advised that a review of Team Ireland's participation in this year's Olympic and Paralympic Games is being undertaken. This review involves questionnaires, one-to-one meetings with the athletes, support personnel, coaches and performance directors. Its aim is to produce an objective assessment of the preparation and performance of the Irish teams at the Athens Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2004, identifying the strengths and weaknesses of all aspects of the programmes throughout the four year cycle, with a view to making recommendations regarding the development of a programme for Beijing in 2008.

Wharton Consulting, a British-based leading consultancy firm, is conducting the review under the direction of the Sports Council. Wharton Consulting was selected by the Irish Sports Council following a public tender process and has considerable experience working with sporting organisations in England, including Sport England. The review is due for completion by 1 December 2004 and the Irish Sports Council intends to publish the report in due course.