FG to push for doping body independent of Bord na gCon
The move, proposed in a Private Members Bill published yesterday, comes as Sports Minister John O'Donoghue awaits a report on the circumstances surrounding the controversial sacking of Bord na gCon chief executive Aidan Tynan last month.
Bord na gCon chairman Paschal Taggart has strenuously denied that the sacking was in any way related to a disagreement with Mr Tynan over a board decision to keep two positive EPO doping test results out of the public domain.
The report, being compiled by former Department of Justice secretary general Tim Dalton, is expected within weeks. However, Fine Gael sports spokesman Jimmy Deenihan said a new independent controls and appeals board must be set up as a result of the bitter doping row.
"Confidence in the industry must be maintained and I believe that establishing an independent Controls and Appeals Board is central to this," the Kerry North TD said. "There is no room in the industry for cheats. Greyhounds must be allowed to compete on their merits and people who bet on racing must be fully confident that the greyhound they back will win or lose fairly. Trainers and owners must be certain that their greyhound will not be beaten by a dog that has been given performance-enhancing substances," he said.
Mr Deenihan urged the Government to allow the legislation pass saying a similar Bill had been approved by the Government in 1997 but was never enacted.
The Bill proposes a control body containing four members which would govern the control of doping and illegal drug use in the industry. He said the body, if enacted, would make regulations, as necessary, governing drug use in the industry. It would also promote integrity in racing and act as an appeals body independent of Bord na gCon.
