49 Mr. L. Burke asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if he intends to establish a statutory sports council. [21311/97]

The answer to the Deputy's question is yes. One of the key priorities with regard to sport and leisure in the Government's An Action Programme for the Millennium is the commitment to the creation of a new national sports council. I expect to present outline proposals on how best to progress this matter on a statutory basis to Government early in 1998.