Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 21 Oct 1998

Vol. 495 No. 5

Written Answers. - Proposed Legislation.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

155 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the plans, if any, he has to bring forward legislation pertaining to the sports and recreational industry to ensure proper governance in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20603/98]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

157 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the plans, if any, he has in relation to the maintenance of optimum safety and regulatory standards in the sport and recreational areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20605/98]

Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation (Dr. McDaid)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 155 and 157 together.

Sport and recreation facilities are subject to the full range of regulatory and legislative provisions relating to matters such as building standards, fire safety, hygiene and water and marine safety, which operate under the aegis of my colleagues, the Ministers for the Environment and Local Government, Health and Children, Justice, Equality and Law Reform, and Marine and Natural Resources. Any plans for further legislation in any of these areas would be a matter for the relevant Minister.

For general guidance, particularly for sport and recreational bodies, the Department of Education and Science published a voluntary code of practice for safety at sports grounds in January, 1996. This is additional, of course, to the normal rules and regulations imposed by the respective governing bodies regarding the safe running of their particular sports, including the use of facilities by and for their members for that purpose.