THE Tour de France organisers will arrive here in coming months to assess Ireland as a starting point for the world's greatest cycle race. The Minister for Tourism and Trade, Mr Kenny, has found the £2 million necessary to host the opening stages of the 1998 Tour.
It is now up to the tour organisers to choose among competing offers from Ireland, Belgium and Italy, specifically Liege and Turin.
Tour de France organisers contacted by The Irish Times yesterday said they would send an official delegation to Ireland before the end of the year to assess sports and logistics facilities and to identify a possible race route. They will make a final decision by January 1997.
Mr Pat McQuade, president of the Federation of Irish Cycling, said yesterday the biggest hurdle had now been crossed, but the tour organisers would still have to decide whether Ireland was capable of hosting the event. "I'm delighted the Government has found the money. It will be great for Irish sport and Irish cycling."
The £2 million will come from Mr Kenny's Department, from the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry, Mr Yates, and from the Minister of State at the Department of Education, Mr Bernard Allen, who is responsible for sport. A spokeswoman for Mr Kenny said the Department would find its share from savings in the existing Budget. She was unable to say where these savings might be found.
Mr Kenny said yesterday the promotional possibilities for Ireland arising from the tour would be significant. "It would, for example, present unique opportunities to promote Irish food, especially in our important French market, to encourage sport and a healthy lifestyle, and to enhance the profile of Ireland through international media coverage.
The Tour de France is covered by the media in over 100 countries and has an estimated TV viewing audience of 960 million. If the organisers decide in Ireland's favour, the Republic would become the eighth EU state to host the start of the race outside France.
It is intended that the Irish event will take place over four days, consisting of a time trial through Dublin, a stage in the south east and a stage in the south.
It is understood Mr Yates is particularly keen to bring a stage through Wexford which will be celebrating the bicentennial of the 798 rebellion.
The tour has an accompanying entourage of 3,500 people and 1,500 vehicles. Tourist interests have expressed concern that ferry space and accommodation will be difficult to find for so many people at the height of the tourist season.