Ireland attends key European sport safety conference
Minister Charlie McConalogue represented Ireland at the 19th Council of Europe Conference of Ministers for Sport in Monaco, focusing on safeguarding children in sport. The event gathered 46 member states to address mental health, injury prevention, and governance in youth and elite sports.
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Minister of State with responsibility for Sport and Postal Policy, Charlie McConalogue TD, represented Ireland at the 19th Council of Europe Conference of Ministers responsible for Sport, which took place in Monaco on 3-4 November 2026. The event was organised by the Council of Europe Enlarged Partial Agreement on Sport (EPAS) in cooperation with the Government of Monaco.
This conference convened ministers from 46 Council of Europe member states as well as representatives from the European Cultural Convention, the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers, the Parliamentary Assembly, and various global agencies and observer states. The main theme was "Safer and healthier sport for all children," with discussions centred on safeguarding young athletes, particularly in elite sport.
Key topics included mental health challenges, overtraining, injury and concussion prevention, body image issues, performance pressures, and doping. Minister McConalogue emphasised the importance of protecting children’s wellbeing in sport, stating that sport should provide relief from life’s pressures without compromising safety or mental health. The conference also highlighted EPAS initiatives such as the "Start to Talk" project and various tools and guidelines designed to improve child safeguarding and sports governance across Europe.
This conference convened ministers from 46 Council of Europe member states as well as representatives from the European Cultural Convention, the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers, the Parliamentary Assembly, and various global agencies and observer states. The main theme was "Safer and healthier sport for all children," with discussions centred on safeguarding young athletes, particularly in elite sport.
Key topics included mental health challenges, overtraining, injury and concussion prevention, body image issues, performance pressures, and doping. Minister McConalogue emphasised the importance of protecting children’s wellbeing in sport, stating that sport should provide relief from life’s pressures without compromising safety or mental health. The conference also highlighted EPAS initiatives such as the "Start to Talk" project and various tools and guidelines designed to improve child safeguarding and sports governance across Europe.
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