Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 34: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if, in view of the tragic death of a young boy in August 2004 involving a collapsing goalpost, he has had discussions with sporting organisations in a bid to curb such incidents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9184/05]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The protection and safety of players as well as the standards, types and specifications of sports equipment, are matters in the first instance for the national sports organisations and international sports federations as appropriate. The safety of sports equipment is also subject to the various health and safety regulations in force in this country. My Department does not have a formal regulatory role in relation to these matters.

However, the tragic deaths and injuries sustained by a number of young players are of serious concern to me. Officials of my Department have been in contact with relevant governing bodies on a number of occasions in relation to the safety of goalposts, and had discussions with the Football Association of Ireland, FAI, on the matter.

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the FAI has taken a series of measures to ensure the sport of soccer has a robust policy and the highest standards of safety in relation to the use of goalposts. The FAI has produced two draft documents which have now been circulated for attention and consideration within the association. These comprehensive and detailed documents cover both specific technical guidelines on the provision of goalposts as well as extensive safety guidelines on the design, construction, installation and the ongoing useage and maintenance of goalposts.

In addition, the association has produced a general information leaflet, Make Safety your Goal, for wide distribution throughout the sport in order to bring the greatest possible awareness of goalpost safety to the football community at all levels of the sport.

The Deputy may also be aware that the National Standards Authority of Ireland has established a committee to advise on the drawing up of an Irish standard for goalposts. The committee, which met for the first time yesterday comprises representatives of manufacturers and sport organisations as well as the technical and engineering sectors.

I have arranged for my Department to be represented on that committee with a view to being kept informed of developments and to explore ways in which the Department and the Irish Sports Council can assist in the promulgation of standards of good practice in relation to the safety of goalposts.