Vol. 474 No. 2
21 Mr. M. Smith asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the current position in relation to funding for the Irish stages of the Tour de France; and the contributions to be made by Government Departments and State agencies in this regard. [2612/97]
As I informed the House on 17 October and 26 November last, the Government has agreed, in the event of the initial stages of the 1998 Tour 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.
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, with the details being worked out in consultation with the relevant local authorities.
