The Government and the Irish Sports Council (ISC) were the targets for severe criticism at a meeting yesterday between the Olympic Council of Ireland (OCI) and Irish media. At the OCI's offices in Dublin, president Pat Hickey said that Ireland are now seen as a country who do not have a pro-active policy on drug testing of athletes and that they are considered "backward" by other countries in this regard.

Hickey pointed out that at this stage prior to the Atlanta Olympic Games in 1996 (approximately 14 months), the OCI, who were then in charge of testing Irish athletes mainly through Olympic medical officer Dr Joe Comiskey, had conducted 65 tests. So far, asserted Hickey, no tests have been carried out on Irish athletes by the Irish Sports Council, who are now charged with that function. The drug testing unit, originally promised for the beginning of this year, is not yet in place.

Hickey also pointed out that at a conference on drugs in sport held last year Ireland was not invited because of their lax attitude to the problem. "I don't think enough has been done (in the testing of athletes)," said Hickey. "We are way behind. Ireland is considered backward in terms of drug testing.

"We (the OCI) have no responsibility for drug testing now. The Government are doing it. We would encourage them to hurry up in implementing the testing. It would be foolish to think that in the wide range of Irish sports there are some athletes who are not dabbling," he said.

Dr McDaid's office and the Irish Sports Council refuted Hickey's assertions and said that following a tendering process the Sports Council is now finalising its considerations relating to a company to conduct sampling and a laboratory which will conduct the analysis. They also pointed out that the Minister has made combating doping in sport a key priority.

"The Irish Sports Council expects to commence its testing programme at an early date," said a spokesman.

"The introduction of a national sports anti-doping programme raises many issues. Prior to the introduction of the programme these issues were given detailed consideration by the Irish Sports Council to ensure the anti-doping programme is established on a strong legal and administrative basis."

No date was available for the commencement of testing. It is unlikely that any programme will be up and running before Christmas, putting its establishment almost one year behind schedule.