Vol. 476 No. 5
246 Mr. Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the reason the 1997 All Ireland Sheep Shearing Championships which take place in Kiltoom, Athlone, County Roscommon, on 31 May and 1 June 1997, have been refused grant aid in view of the fact that he has publicly pledged a figure of £10,000 to the World Sheep Shearing Championships which will take place in his constituency in Gorey, County Wexford in 1998. [7593/97]
My Department endeavours to be as supportive as possible to all important events in the agricultural calendar. However, the provision of financial support for events is exceptional and normally confined to special events which involve significant costs to the organisers. Such events would include world championships and significant international events not routinely held in Ireland. It is in this context that I have undertaken to support the World Sheep Shearing Championships due to take place in County Wexford in 1998.
