Bord Fáilte has said it stands over its €250,000 sponsorship of next year's Irish Open golf championship despite the controversial membership policy of the tournament's hosts, Portmarnock Golf Club.
A spokesman for the tourist board said it distinguished between the event and the north Dublin club, which is one of only two in the State still to operate a ban on women members.
"The private club has no bearing on the running or staging of the event. What it does in its own time is of no relevance to the Irish Open," the spokesman said.
Portmarnock's membership policy has been the subject of much criticism in the past and while complaints have yet to be made against it or other male-only clubs, under the Equal Status Act, these are expected, according to the Equality Authority.
That agency's chief executive Mr Niall Crowley, said yesterday that "while we would have to look at each case individually, as there are exceptions under the Act, I think we will soon have something to say on male-only clubs."
The sponsorship deal, within which Bord Fáilte is the associate sponsor to Nissan, was announced in Dublin yesterday. It comes amid a growing controversy in the United States over the staging of that country's Masters tournament next year at Augusta National Golf Club, which like Portmarnock does not admit women as members.
Investors and players, including world number one Tiger Woods, have been urged to pull out following criticism of the venue by women's groups. In a pre-emptive move, designed to avoid external pressure being exerted on the club, Augusta National has decided to drop its sponsors for the event, including Coca-Cola.
A New York Times editorial raised tensions further this week by calling on CBS to rethink its commitment to broadcasting the tournament.
Portmarnock has more than 1,200 members and the only woman among them is understood to be the President, Mrs McAleese, who under club rules is afforded honorary membership in view of her office. Women are allowed to play at the course for a nominal fee and this arrangement has traditionally limited criticism from women golfers.
The Bord Fáilte spokesman stressed it was "very supportive of Irish ladies golf", noting the State agency also sponsored the Ladies Irish Open.
Last night, Fine Gael's spokesman on justice, Mr John Deasy, said he hoped the members of Portmarnock would "one day come to their senses and realise women are not a threat". However, he believed any comparison with Augusta was unfair, given the US club's history as a "symbol of racism".
He added: "I think it would be bringing political correctness to a disgusting level to be calling for a boycott or anything like that."
The campaign against the Augusta Masters has been spearheaded by the six million-member National Council of Women's organisations. Its chairwoman, Ms Martha Burk, described the club's membership policy as a symbol of glass ceilings, unequal opportunities and "all the reasons women are running second in America".
It is understood a minimum of €250,000 in State funds is being channelled through Bord Fáilte to the Portmarnock event.
Nissan, a spokesperson for which was unavailable for comment last night, is said to be contributing about €2 million.
