Mary Harney
Question:15 Miss Harney asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the current position regarding Ireland's application to host the Tour de France; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18848/96]
Written Answers. - Tour de France.
Joe Walsh
Question:52 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the amount of funding necessary for the staging of the Tour de France in Ireland; the amount of such funding which is being provided by his Department; and the amount and sources of the other funding which is being provided. [18710/96]
I propose to answers Questions Nos. 15 and 52 together.
The Government recently agreed to provide up to £2 million over a three year period should the current efforts by Sport for Television (Ireland) Limited succeed in securing the hosting of the initial stages of the 1998Tour de France in Ireland, which the promoters estimate would cost in the region of £2.35 million.
The Government's proposed financial package is made up of contributions totalling £1.1 million from my own Department's Vote; £0.4 million from the Vote of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry, £0.2 million from the Vote of the Minister of State at the Department of Education with responsibility for sport and £0.3 million from funds to be provided by local authorities through specific arrangements to be made by the Minister for the Environment. The moneys would be paid out by Bord Fáilte and I understand that Sport for Television (Ireland) Limited, which would be responsible for organising the tour while in Ireland, expect, to raise an additional £350,000 from local interests. The company is currently awaiting a formal decision by the SocietieTour de France as to whether Ireland will host the event.