The Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation will attend a private, celebratory luncheon for Ms Michelle Smith de Bruin, organised by her main sponsors, TNT, when she returns from Barcelona today. Dr McDaid will not be present at Dublin Airport when the swimmer, who won two gold and two silver medals in the European championships, returns home this morning. He has ruled out participation in all such future events because of the "political circus" element it generates.
But because his non-attendance at today's welcome for Ms Smith de Bruin at the airport might be misconstrued, Dr McDaid will later attend the private lunch where he will personally congratulate the swimmer.