Michael Creed
Question:13 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if he will make a statement on the cancellation of the World Equestrian Games; and the financial implications, if any, there are to the State. [17222/97]
Written Answers. - World Equestrian Games.
P. J. Sheehan
Question:28 Mr. Sheehan asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if he will make a statement on the cancellation of the World Equestrian Games; and the financial implications, if any, there are to the State. [17223/97]
Paul Bradford
Question:29 Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if he will make a statement on the cancellation of the World Equestrian Games; and the financial implications, if any, there are to the State. [17221/97]
David Stanton
Question:47 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if he will make a statement on the cancellation of the World Equestrian Games; and the finanical implications, if any, there are to the State. [17220/97]
Liam Burke
Question:63 Mr. L. Burke asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if he will make a statement on the cancellation of the World Equestrian Games; and the financial implications, if any, there are to the State. [17219/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 13, 28, 29, 47 and 63 together.
In July last, World Equestrian Games (Ireland) Ltd (WEG) announced that the 1998 World Equestrian Games would not take place in Ireland. WEG stated that the reason for their decision was that negotiations to secure funding for the games had concluded unsuccessfully. A liquidator was subsequently appointed to the company.
This followed the withdrawal of the title sponsor for the games in April 1997 and the decision the following month by the previous Government to cease further Exchequer funding. Over the period 1994-96, WEG received a total of £820,000 from the Exchequer and a £1.25 million guarantee from Bord Fáilte in respect of the fee payable by WEG to the Federation Equestre Internationale in the event of the games taking place in Ireland in 1998.
WEG presented me, on coming into office in June, with proposals that the Government should provide a grant of £2.5 million over and above the support already made available. They also proposed that the State should carry the cost of services provided in connection with the games, such as those of the Army and the Garda. Following a thorough assessment of the proposals, and having consulted colleagues, including the Minister for Finance, I concluded that the previous Government's decision to cease funding should stand.