THE Minister for Sport, Bernard Allen, yesterday repeated a promise to publish the Strategy for Sport report early in the New Year. After receiving the document from the chairman of the Irish Sports Council, John Treacy, Allen said he intended to go public with it at the earliest opportunity.

But he declined to comment on reports that it held far reaching implications for the Olympic Council of Ireland in its role as the conduit for State monies for Sport.

"The group's mandate was to examine Irish sport in its broadest context with a view to charting a way into the new millennium," he said.

"I expect that it will be reflected in the document but at this point I cannot speculate on its findings for the very good reason that I haven't yet had an opportunity of reading them.

"My intention is to do so over the Christmas period and at that stage, I will consider the earliest date for its publication."

The Minister said he was impressed by the speed and dedication with which the report had been prepared. Similar documents in other countries, had taken about two years whereas Treacy's committee had been established only in November of last year.

To meet the Christmas deadline, meetings had been convened for as early as 7.30 a.m. and he was suitably appreciative of the efforts of all involved.

"I would like to thank John Treacy and his group for the hard work done in compiling the report, which is a first ever in Ireland. They have carried out magnificent work and their labours will chart the course of Irish sport well into the next century."

Treacy said: "I am delighted that the report is now completed and presented to the Minister. It is a document that is firmly based on the consultative process undertaken over the last year with national governing bodies, government departments, sports agencies, local authorities, VECs and people working at local sports level.

I look forward to the reaction of the Minister and also to the hard work which lies ahead for the Irish Sports Council in the implementation of the report."

Appropriately, the Minister for Finance, Ruairi Quinn, was present at yesterday's handover for ultimately, it is the reaction of this Government department which will determine the value of a novel enterprise in Irish sport.