Update – 2.55pm: A statement from the Department of Transport have released a statement on the doping scandal surrounding Irish boxer Michael O’Reilly, saying: “Doping is always wrong”.
The statement said: “The Ministers have made it clear, within the last week, that there is no room for the use of illegal performance enhancing substances in sport.
“The opening week of Rio2016 has been unsettling and frustrating for Team Ireland which is disappointing.
“Doping is always wrong.”
Recently, the Ministers, along with 19 other Sport Ministers, called upon sports organisations to comply fully with their obligations in line with the World Anti-Doping Code to promote initiatives and measures to protect the integrity of sport, the credibility of WADA and clean athletes.
The statement concluded: “Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan met with several Ministers in Rio last week on the matter, we intend to collaborate further in the Autumn on this hugely important matter.”
Update: 1.40pm: Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe said the doping scandal reflects badly on Ireland’s Olympians writes Elaine Loughlin.
“What has happened is not appropriate, it doesn’t reflect well on how we want our Olympians to be projected across the world,” he said this morning.
Mr Dohonoe added that Shane Ross has now put in place the “right steps” to address the controversy.
“Minister Shane Ross has outlined the government’s view on what has happened and some of the great difficulties that are now developing in relation to tickets becoming available in a way they should not be.
“He has outlined that he is now in contact with the Olympic movement and that Sport Ireland are now examining the matter.”
Earlier: Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Shane Ross has said that the Michael O’Reilly doping and Olympic ticket touting scandals are “embarrassing” to Ireland writes Irish Examiner Political Editor Daniel McConnell.
Speaking this morning in Dublin, Mr Ross said he was very disappointed at the two scandals but that it is too early to make absolute conclusions as investigations are underway.
He said his department will consider launching its own investigation but that will depend on the outcome of the ongoing investigations.
“Both are embarrassing for Ireland. But we have to forget them now and concentrate on wishing the remaining athletes well,” he said.
Mr Ross said he had not spoken out on the matters before now as he was on holidays but also his junior minister Patrick O’Donovan was on the ground in Rio and is in charge of matters.
The Irish Examiner last week broke the story of O’Reilly’s failed drug test on the eve of the games.
