Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 254: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he has met the Olympic Council of Ireland and the relevant sporting bodies to discuss plans for the Beijing Olympics 2008; his views on the need to properly prepare the Irish team in that regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27625/05]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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I have discussed preparations for the Beijing Olympics with both the president of the Olympic Council of Ireland and the chairman of the Sports Council and am at one with them on the need to ensure that our preparations for Beijing take cognisance of the issues highlighted in the Athens review. Accordingly, I welcome the fact that the Irish Sports Council has put together an operational plan, which identifies key performance indicators, timescales and costings and the roles of the various agencies in supporting Ireland's Olympic and Paralympic preparations for Beijing. The plan encompasses elements such as the introduction of targeted sport performance plans including prioritising junior, development and elite athletes; a review of the international carding scheme; proposals for the development of an Irish institute of sport; maintaining and enhancing the role of the Olympic and Paralympic performance committees to ensure optimum co-operation in the preparation and performance of the Irish team for the Beijing Olympic games, and the strengthening of the Olympic Council of Ireland's administrative capacities.

The Olympic performance committee and the Paralympic performance committees have met on a number of occasions in 2005. The meetings have focused on strengthening cooperation between the key agencies and on athlete preparation, particularly in regard to pre-games training camps, acclimatisation and full medical and science support.