THE 50 metre pool debate was given fresh impetus yesterday with the announcement that Stewarts Hospital have a proposal submitted to the Department of Education to build a long course training pool in the Palmerstown area in Dublin.

The proposed project, specifically described as a training pool, would be part of a "state of the art sports and leisure centre" and the cost is estimated at £7 million. The submission has been with the Department since last April.

Last night Harry Kavanagh, the president of the Leinster Branch of the IASA, said: "The proposal does not appear to meet the requirements of an international standard 50 metre pool which is what is required in Ireland."

Kavanagh, who is also chairman of the association's facilities committee campaigning for a 50 metres international standard pool, said that as far as he could see there was no provision in the proposal for spectator accommodation or swim down facilities.