I propose to take Questions Nos. 16, 46 and 59 together.
I would like to see the Tour de France come to Ireland in 1998 as has been proposed. The scale of financial assistance required to make this possible, however, is beyond the resources of my Department. It would require a co-ordinated response on the part of Government, covering a number of Departments and State agencies and the relevant local authorities. I have undertaken over the coming weeks to explore with appropriate Ministers the prospects of bringing the tour to Ireland. As to the route the tour might take in Ireland, this would be a matter for the tour organisers to decide in the first instance.