The Government is to establish a new statutory authority to enforce strict safety standards for adventure centres.
The authority is to draw up compulsory regulations for the operation of such centres, which in future will be registered.
The Minister for the Marine, Dr Woods, said yesterday that £100,000 would be allocated annually towards the cost of running the new authority, which will liaise with interested parties before making proposals for a new safety regime. It will have discussions with the Association for Adventure Sports and the existing Centre Standards Board, which operates voluntary standards.
The Minister said there would be penalties and sanctions for adventure centres not adhering to the new code. An inspection process is to be put in place.
There are an estimated 180 adventure sports providers in the Republic. The total annual throughput of the centres is in the region of 350,000 people per annum and 50 per cent of participants are under 18 years of age.
The centres offer a wide range of activities, including climbing, trekking, mountaineering and water-sports.