Michael Ahern
Question:6 Mr. M. Ahern asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the amount in financial support which has been committed by Government for the World Equestrian Games. [18752/96]
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - World Equestrian Games.
John O'Leary
Question:63 Mr. O'Leary asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the current position regarding the World Equestrian Games in 1998; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18751/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 and 63 together.
The World Equestrian Games are scheduled to take place in Ireland in August 1998. As I indicated previously in the House, the allocation of the World Equestrian Games to Ireland and their organisation are matters in the first instance for the Federation Equestre International, the FEI and World Equestrian Games (Ireland) Ltd. or WEG. The policy of both this and the previous Government has been to encourage and assist WEG (Ireland) Ltd. in its work, where appropriate, to ensure a commercially successful games that would reflect well on this country in equestrian and general promotional terms.
Exchequer assistance is being provided through Bord Fáilte to WEG (Ireland) Ltd. to facilitate the holding of the games and to date an amount of £750,000 has been paid to the company. Provision for a further £250,000 will be made in 1997.
I am sure the Minister agrees it is important that these games are properly funded because they can be used to promote Ireland. How many visitors will they bring to Ireland? Are other Departments, such as the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, the Department of Defence and the sports section of the Department of Education, providing sponsorship as well as Bord Fáilte?
Deputy Ahern is correct in saying these games are important for Ireland. I would like to see them in the context of a banker event in that not only would people come here for the event but would return for a second vacation. It is difficult to estimate the number who will come here in 1998. It could be in the range of 30,000 to 100,000. While it had some teething difficulties initially, the commercial sponsorship from Nissan and the revamped WEG (Ireland) Ltd. will, I hope, make these games a commercial success for Ireland.
I welcome the fact that these games are back on track. What is the projected cost of holding them? There were difficulties in putting a financial package together. Can he assure us those difficulties have been overcome?
The original estimate was over £10 million expenditure. However, this has been reduced following Nissan's decision to fund the games. It carried out a serious revamp of the costs involved. I do not have the figures with me but they are greatly reduced. For that reason the Government decided to continue funding to the level I outlined.
Are other Departments providing funding as well as Bord Fáilte?
I am not aware of any direct funding by any other Department. However, I assume it will provide an opportunity for the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry and An Bord Bia to present the best of Irish food to our international visitors. Other Departments or semi-State bodies could also become involved in presenting Ireland to our visitors. While there may not be direct assistance from other Departments, the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, which has responsibility for equestrian matters in Ireland, would have an intense interest in this area.