The Government may be funding some sports to the detriment of others, a former leader of Fine Gael claimed today.
Public Accounts Committee chairman Mr Michael Noonan accused the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism of favouring the horse and greyhound industry over major field games.
The Committee was examining the Comptroller & Auditor General's report on the 2003 annual accounts of the sprawling Government Department.
Mr Noonan told Department secretary general Mr Philip Furlong: "Certain sports are being funded and other sports are not being funded to the same extent in your Department. They seem to be doing better than big field games."
"Is it because you regard horse and greyhound racing as an industry rather than a sport? I just wonder if Enterprise Ireland should be running the horse and greyhound industries instead."
Mr Furlong denied the claims and explained that the Minister, Mr John O'Donoghue, was currently reviewing funding policy.
"Investment in other sporting activities is not being neglected ... The department is about to embark on a strategy review to target areas where funding is needed most," he said.
Mr Furlong also assured PAC members that the department's spending on capital projects - like €191 million for the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road - would not interfere with funding for local clubs around the country.
The Department also revealed today that there was "very serious dissatisfaction" with how the Football Association of Ireland ran its affairs, although the situation had improved now. The FAI was locked in an embarrassing stand-off with Mr O'Donoghue late last year when it refused to publicly advertise its chief executive job.
Mr Furlong told the committee that an interview panel will soon be vetting short-listed candidates for the job of FAI chief executive - the third in less than two years. "The minister has made it clear in words of one syllable that Genesis [restructuring report] is the agenda and he's not interested in any other agendas at this stage."
The department chief agreed that the minister was beginning to regain confidence in the structures in the FAI. "The FAI fully accepts that any further disharmony or public falling out can only be to the detriment of the sport and will certainly lose the support and encouragement of Minister O'Donoghue," he added.
PA