John Brassil (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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205. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to address an issue (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16857/18]

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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Sport Ireland, under the Sport Ireland Act 2015, is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport in Ireland. One of its more important functions is to act as the national anti-doping organisation (NADO) in Ireland. To that end, it provides important services in the fight against the use of illegal performance substances in sport, including testing and education. Irish anti-doping efforts are internationally renowned to be of a high standard, as Sport Ireland continues to work to ensure that the integrity of sporting competitions is maintained and all clean athletes compete on a level playing field.

In relation to the specific cases referred to by the Deputy, it is important to note that the awarding and rescinding of medals, whether immediately after competition or a number of years thereafter, is a matter for decision by the organisers of the events in question. The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) is responsible for awarding and rescinding medals in the case of the World Championships in Athletics. The IAAF's regional associations are responsible in cases of regional athletics championships.

Minister Ross and I have made clear our dissatisfaction with the chaotic situation currently in the World Anti-Doping Agency. We believe it is essential to address the clear conflict of interest that arises from having sport policy decision makers involved in the anti-doping process. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has a clear conflict of interest and should have no influence or role in the affairs of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The status quo undermines the credibility of a system which is failing clean athletes, who dedicate their lives to sport and deserve a level playing field. We believe it is necessary for Governments to take concerted and collaborative action and we are in ongoing contact with our fellow sports ministers in this regard.