www.fiannafail.ie

Lisbon Treaty will give stronger powers to EU institutions to promote sport within the EU - Aylward

Posted on 29/07/09 by Liam Aylward

 

 

 

Liam Aylward MEP and a member of the education and culture committee in the European Parliament today said that " If the Lisbon Treaty is ratified, it will give new powers to the European Commission and to the European Parliament to bring forward laws to promote sporting activity in Europe to a greater extent.

 

There are many issues in the area of sport that are best addressed in an EU wide 27 context.

For example, the European Commission has brought forward a new EU White Paper on Sport in July 2007.

 

There are many serious policy priorities for the European Union contained in this White Paper which include the following:-

 

The need to promote volunteerism and grassroots sport at an EU level.

The need to ensure that the less well off and the disabled participate in sport in higher numbers.

The need to develop new public health strategies to tackle head on problems such as obesity, heart disease and diabetes.

How best can the EU implement initiatives to combat doping and violence in sport ?

 

 

The EU White Paper on Sport enhances the visibility of sport at an EU level. Sport contributes to the general policy objectives of the European Union in the areas of public health, youth policy and education and training.

 

That is why we must continue to implement policies in Ireland and in Europe that will improve participation levels in sport.

As a former Sports Minister in Ireland, I have always supported the ' sports for all ' concept which means that everyone in society must be given the opportunity to benefit from sporting activity. The 'sports for all ' concept is a key element of the EU White Paper on Sport."

Share |