Vol. 472 No. 1
57 Miss de Valera asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the Government Departments which have given commitments to fund the staging of the Tour de France in Ireland; and the amount to be contributed by each Department or agency. [22030/96]
83 Miss Quill asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade whether a formal decision has been made by the Société du Tour de France as to whether Ireland will host the event; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22047/96]
I propose to answer Questions Nos. 57 and 83 together.
As I informed the House of 17 October last, the Government has agreed, in the event of the initial stages of the 1988Tour de France being held in Ireland, to provide up to £2 million towards its costs as follows: £1.1 million from my 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. I understand that a formal decision by the Société du Tour de France as to whether Ireland will host the event is still awaited.
