Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 13: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the action he intends to take to implement the recommendations of the steering group appointed to carry out the Athens review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9211/05]

Joe Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 33: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the lessons he has drawn from the recent report on the Irish team's experience and participation in the Athens Olympics; if he has discussed the findings of the report with the Irish Sports Council and the Olympic Council of Ireland; the steps he will be taking on foot of the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9183/05]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 13 and 33 together.

In July 2004, the Irish Sports Council in conjunction with the Olympic Council of Ireland and the Paralympic Council of Ireland commissioned the Athens review to produce an objective assessment of the preparation and performance of the Irish teams at the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Athens 2004. The purpose of the review was to identify the strengths and weaknesses of all aspects of the programmes and structures over the course of the four year cycle leading into the Athens games with a view to making recommendations for the development of programmes for the 2008 Beijing Olympic and Paralympic games.

The final report, which was published on 2 March 2005, draws on the lessons of the last four years and on international experience to set out how we can achieve consistent success at Olympic and Paralympic games. It is a timely follow up to the Sydney review which marked a watershed in Ireland's approach to high performance sport. Some 29 recommendations were made in that review with a view to urgently addressing every aspect of Ireland's preparation for and participation in major international sports events.

The Athens review, in its assessment of the implementation of those recommendations, makes it clear that a great deal has been achieved over the past four years. It acknowledges that significant improvements were made in the general preparation for the 2004 Athens Olympic and Paralympic games. In particular, the relationship between the Irish Sports Council and the Olympic Council of Ireland has advanced along the lines set out in the Sydney review.

Clear, measurable targets are required for any investment. It is particularly important that, as the review recommends, sustained investment should be focused on the most talented athletes and measured against clearly defined targets. The Athens review has provided those targets for Irish sport. It is reasonable to target between six and nine finalists at the Olympics and between 12 and 15 finalists at the Paralympics.

There is a need for greater focus on sports and athletes that can deliver success at the highest level. The investment decisions taken to date by the Irish Sports Council are endorsed as being in the right direction. There is now a need to sharpen the investment. That will involve some tough decisions. However, if we are to reach the targets set, the hard decisions must be taken and I will support the council in that regard.

In retrospect, it probably was unreasonable to expect a major benefit from the improved investment in the Athens cycle. It was too short a time frame, especially in comparison with major competitors. We have invested substantially in sport but we started behind others and it will take time to catch up. There must be a focus on junior and developing athletes. That is the correct way to go, but it does not produce instant dividends.

It is imperative that all developments in high performance sport must be based on fair and ethical means. The Irish Sports Council's anti-doping programme is world class and ensures that we can have confidence that our teams are competing in accordance with the highest ethical standards. WADA is leading the war on doping at international level and is making progress in ensuring that world class sport is clean and fair.

I am currently awaiting the recommendations of the Irish Sports Council on the various measures and interventions required to address the issues raised and recommendations made in the Athens review. I expect to receive the council's advice within the next few weeks and it is my intention to ensure that its recommendations will inform our preparations for Beijing.