Ireland's first National Sports Anti-Doping Programme, which was formally announced yesterday, differs from similar European initiatives in that it facilitates the potential for blood testing, according to the Minister for Tourism, Sports and Recreation, Dr James McDaid.

The Irish programme will initially focus on 150 elite professional and amateur athletes participating with the approval of their sport's governing body.

"The thing about the blood issue is that while I certainly want to go as far as is possible with it, haemoglobin levels fluctuate and a baseline standard needs to be established before it can be introduced", Dr McDaid said.

While the £350,000 programme will be conducted on a voluntary basis, national sporting governing bodies who opt against participation will be deemed ineligible for public funding.

"I consider that such a step is warranted in view of the importance of the issue, particularly for young people. Such withdrawing of public subsidies also forms an integral part of the Council of Europe Anti-Doping Convention", Dr McDaid said.

Of the 75 NGB's, not all of which are concerned with competitive sports, it is estimated that up to 40 - including the GAA - have signed up for participation.

Main priorities include carrying out around 600 urine doping tests on the participating athletes, establishing an education programme and fostering an anti-doping culture by encouraging sports bodies to adopt relevant provisions in their constitutions before the new millennium.

The Programme was devised after the Department considered the report of the Anti-Doping Advisory Committee. The Programme will be reviewed in 2000 and new strategies will be implemented if it is felt the current guidelines have proven ineffective.