My Department does not have funds directly at its disposal for supporting projects of this nature. However, I understand that Bord Fáilte has received an application for sponsorship under the International Sports Tourism Fund for the World Road Cycling Championship due to take place in Killarney in 2004.
Bord Fáilte advise that an initial assessment and evaluation of the proposal has been carried out by its International Sports Tourism Advisory Group, and that because the level of financial support requested by the promoters is substantial, the board has sought an independent cost benefit analysis of the project before deciding on this application.