MCDAID AIMS TO RID IRISH SPORTS OF ANY USE OF DRUGS

Athletes and sports coaches who possess or traffic in drugs could soon face
jail terms, Sports Minister Jim McDaid has warned.

A weekend sports conference in Dublin was told that it was the Government's
firm intention to rid Irish sport of any drugs.

The Attorney General, David Byrne is currently examining new legislative
proposals which could impose severe sanctions - including custodial
sentences - on those found guilty of using drugs in sport.

"I repeat what I have already said before that if I can find the means
within Irish law I will not hesitate to apply criminal sanctions including
jail terms to those who contaminate sport with drugs," said Dr McDaid. He
said the issue was a political priority for him as Minister for Sport.

"In this environment, not only is sport losing out but it is also a tragedy
for the athletes concerned. By taking drugs they lose their integrity, they
damage their health, sometimes horribly and very few ever reap the reward
for which they risk so much."

Opening the "Look to the Future" sports conference on Saturday, Dr McDaid
said it was vital that the individual governing bodies of sports played a
part in combating the growing prevalence of drugs.

He also expressed concern about the constant emergence of new fashionable
supplements and nutritional aids on the market. "Such substances should be
regarded with profound caution," he warned.

The Minister advised sport's governing bodies to organise their internal
structures in a way that would continue to promote and develop Irish sport.

He said the organisation of sport in the country had been helped by the
introduction of a new, simplified grant application process which should
lead to the emergence of strong, self-sustaining, autonomous governing bodies.

But a large responsibility remained with the individual organisations to
maximise participation in their own sport.

However, Dr McDaid expressed concern that some sports were duplicating
services and developing rival organisations.

"It is a valid question to ask if it is in the interest of any individual
sport to have a multiplicity of bodies regulating and controlling its
development. I believe it is not," he remarked.

Dr McDaid said the Government had recognised the unique role of sport in
Irish life by doubling funding from IEP13m last year to IEP26m in 1998 with
a further 50% increase provided in next year's estimates.

This would bring spending on sport to almost IEP40m in 1999, said the
Minister.

Dr McDaid also said he hoped to announce details of the successful proposal
to construct a national 50m swimming pool in the near future.

Checked-by: derek rea