Sports policy in the Republic of Ireland has traditionally been a low priority with government. Apart from infrequent visits to Dublin Airport to welcome home European, world and Olympic champions, politicians have shied away from formulating any type of coherent policy for the future of Irish sport. Years of unfulfilled promises on adequate funding, provision of proper facilities and acceptable levels of financial support for key organisations and athletes have led to an understandable level of cynicism among the sporting public about the value placed on sport.
Yesterday's announcement of a national plan for sport, under the aegis of the Minister of State, Bernard Allen, may eventually prove to be nothing more than aspirational but is still to be warmly welcomed. Not alone does it address all the critical issues in Irish sport - education, funding, facilities and the value of sport to the economy - it also presents a realistic blueprint for the future.
When the Minister asked former Olympic silver medalist John Treacy to chair a strategy group on the future of Irish sport, few would have believed that such a comprehensive examination of the structures of sport in Ireland would be undertaken. Treacy and his team on the Sports Council consulted as widely as possible before delivering their enormously detailed and very impressive report.
The report may be couched in some political language but it doesn't avoid any of the contentious issues. After the appalling squabble in Atlanta between the Olympic Council of Ireland and BLE over the running gear Sonia O'Sullivan was told to wear, it is unlikely that taxpayers will have any sympathy for the OCI which could lose its funding role in sport according to one recommendation. Support will also be forthcoming for increased Lottery funding for sport; a seat at the Cabinet table for a Minister of Sport; the development of a national stadium, in conjunction with the private sector, and the inclusion of physical" education on the Leaving Certificate syllabus.
Modern sport is much more than athletes and teams competing in prestigious national and international events. It occupies a vital position in Irish life and culture and its benefits are huge in terms of health, youth and the economy. The economic importance is highlighted by the fact that sports-related activity generates 11,000 full and part-time jobs and estimates for 1995 show that expenditure on sport amounted to £752 million.
It will not have escaped public notice that both this report and Fianna Fail's recent plan for sport have been announced in an election year. Sports bodies and supporters can now keep a close watch on the parties' manifestoes to see how many of these worthwhile ideas are part of an election package. Cynicism about political attitudes to sport will only be ameliorated when impressive reports like this are given more respect than space on a bookshelf.