The Government has set about acquiring of hundreds of top-of-the-range luxury cars to transport dignitaries during next year's six-month EU presidency.
A spokeswoman for the Department of Foreign Affairs told Motors a number of option were being considered to meet the transport needs of representatives from EU member-states for the presidency, beginning on January 1st next.
"Nothing has been decided for definite yet," she says. "We are looking at various options such as hiring, sponsorship or purchasing." She said no further detailed comment could be made because of the "commercial context" in the planning. A more definite picture could possibly be available in one month.
The logistics of hosting the presidency present a difficult task for the Government's team of organisers. More than 100 meetings will be held in Ireland, bringing in thousands of visitors.
Ireland may have to chair the final negotiations of a new EU treaty if that is not completed during the current Italian presidency. Ireland's presidency will also welcome the 10 new member-states on May 1st next.
Counties hosting events and meetings include Dublin, Kerry, Waterford, Offaly, Wicklow, Kildare, Galway and Cork. In addition, informal ministerial meetings will be held throughout the country including in Galway, Kildare, Tullamore, Killarney and Waterford, as well as Shannon and Cork. A Government/EU Commission meeting in Dublin Castle on January 6th begins the programme.
During Ireland's last stint as EU president in 1996, the Government employed the services of a well-known Irish car-hire firm. A spokeswoman for the firm, which declined to be named for security reasons, said "many hundreds and hundreds" of cars were supplied and accompanying chauffeurs. All cars and drivers must be ccleared for security.
Most of these were Mercedes E-Class, but a fleet of Volkswagen and Renault "people carriers", as well as Opel Omegas and Ford Mondeos were also hired.
In 1996 many city centre streets saw parking restricted or banned during the presidency. Motorists were also disrupted as Mercedes convoys sped through the city to various functions.
Gardai based in Dublin Castle will escort the luxury fleet and busloads of guests. Some concern has been expressed over the Luas work which, if delayed, could provide an extra headache.
"We'll have to pick our routes very carefully," sais one Garda source. "We don't want to bring the German president or somebody like that on a rollercoaster ride around the Luas works." The Rail Procurement Agency insists Luas lines will be completed by their respective June and August 2004 deadlines and that major construction in the city centre will be finished by Christmas.
Asked about the preparations, he added: "We're always the last to be told about anything. We usually find out what's happening from Ann Doyle on the 9 o'clock news."
