Treacy is to attend Dail committee

The chief executive of the National Sports Council, Mr John Treacy, is to appear before an Oireachtas committee to discuss the…

The chief executive of the National Sports Council, Mr John Treacy, is to appear before an Oireachtas committee to discuss the implementation of a code of ethics to protect children in sport.

The Joint Committee on Tourism, Sport and Recreation agreed yesterday that Mr Treacy should give evidence on February 26th.

Dr Breda McLeacy, a clinical psychologist at University Hospital Cork, who is heading the expert group reviewing the codes of conduct, has also been invited to attend. The committee is investigating how sports organisations implement procedures to protect young people involved in games.

Meanwhile, the row continued yesterday over the appointment of Dr Roderick Murphy SC to conduct an inquiry into the Irish Amateur Swimming Association's handling of sex-abuse allegations.

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For the second day Labour's spokesman on sport and tourism, Mr Michael Ferris, cast doubt on the appropriateness of the appointment.

"The Government has said that it made this choice because of Dr Murphy's knowledge and understanding of the swimming world. I find this thinking bizarre", Mr Ferris said.

"By appointing a respected individual who happens to be familiar with some of those who may be expected to give evidence highly relevant to his inquiry, the Government has created another reason why those who are deeply unhappy with the proposed inquiry will refuse to co-operate with it," he said.

Dr Murphy was a member of the committee of the Glenalbyn swimming club from 1992 to 1994. Government sources would not comment on Mr Ferris's criticism.

According to sources, "an extraordinary volume" of people have approached Dr Murphy wanting to give evidence.