Murray gains support from EU body for Special Olympics

Meath Fianna Fail county councillor Seamus Murray, who is president of the Irish delegation to the EU Committee of the Regions (CoR), has been supported by the committee in requesting the European Commission to aid the Special Olympics movement. The Longwood councillor said he believed the Special Olympics should be supported by the EU as it provides sporting and social development opportunities for adults and children with intellectual disabilities. 'Our experiences in hosting the World Games in Ireland during 2003 was hugely positive with many towns and cities hosting athletes,' said Cllr Murray. He welcomed the backing of the CoR in asking the European Commission for support, as local and regional authorities have an interest in promoting such a worthwhile cause, in particular since the European and World Games will be held in Warsaw and Athens, respectively, during both 2010 and 2011. The CoR bureau says it recognises the role of towns and cities in hosting athletes for the Special Olympics, an example of this was when the 2003 World Special Olympics Summer Games were held in Dublin, and will encourage Europe"s local and regional authorities to become involved in both games. The CoR, of which Cllr Murray is president of the Irish delegation and a member of the Fianna Fail-linked UEN-EA political group, was established as a consultative body in order to involve local and regional authorities (regions, cities and municipalities) in the process of EU policy-making. The mission of the CoR"s 344 members includes representing the interests and views of local authorities on proposals that are before the other institutions of the EU.