THE importance of sport to the Irish way of life has never been underestimated by anybody with ambitions in politics. Matches and funerals are vital for politicians who wish to gain or retain status.

That being the case it is mighty odd that politicians can be remiss when it comes to following up on these matters. Once the after match or post funeral drinks are downed both the quick and the dead are forgotten. Since this is a column for the living it will concentrate on the former.

On my desk at this moment is a Christmas card depicting the model for the new Croke Park. Regular readers, if there are any, will know that in this particular parish that development is top of the heap so we will leave it at that. But, so far, a pittance of £5 million is the only concrete evidence of the interest which politicians have taken in this development, apart from the requests for tickets when the big matches are on and the television cameras in place.

Now, if there was no Gaelic Athletic Association I fear it would be well nigh impossible for any government to govern. The same goes for the Irish Rugby Football Union, the Football Association of Ireland and all the other sporting bodies, which do so much to enhance the quality of Irish life and who get very little credit for their trojan efforts day by day and year after year.

And yet, whenever we hear of sporting developments, structural or otherwise, governments of all the colours of the rainbow are singularly lacking in an up front role. The way in which the National Lottery has been hijacked for political purposes is a case in point.

There have been, over the years, bodies like Cospoir and now the Irish Sports Council which have been given governmental support, but it seems to be pretty harmless insofar as funding is concerned.

Not too long ago, just over four years in fact, an organisation called the Dublin International Sports Council (DISC) was set up. Initially, the impetus originated with the then Lord Mayor of Dublin, Gay Mitchell.

Unfortunately, DISC seemed to be ready to walk before it could creep. In the euphoric days after Michael Carruth and Wayne McCullough came back from Barcelona with gold and silver medals the rather loose talks about staging the Olympic Games in Dublin was rubbished by many, including this column.

The idea that Dublin could take on the Olympian task does not inspire a great deal of excitement even now but, to its credit, DISC has hung in there and there have been some positive results.

Recently DISC has been active in the encouragement of the idea that the Tour de France could start in Ireland. That is still very much on the cards. Unfortunately the idea seems to have become some kind of a political football. The government departments which might find the funds, Tourism and Education, seem to be less than enthusiastic.

Some doubts have arisen as to which department might take the responsibility and the risk involved.

Government ministers are slow to devote funds to projects such as this but more than anxious to take whatever credit might accrue should a particular scheme prove successful.

What the Tour de France project needs at this stage is an unequivocal commitment to the idea. There are others among our European Union partners who seem to have a more positive approach, and the organisers of the Tour de France are listening to them also.

While a situation exists which, even minimally, suggests that there is a lack of enthusiasm for the project, the organisers will make sure that they listen to other voices.

The benefit for Ireland in staging of the Tour would be enormous. Huge amounts of positive publicity are available. Millions upon millions of people across Europe and further afield would get an experience of Ireland which would do a tremendous amount of good for our economy in general and our image as a modern, progressive country in particular.

It matters not a whit whether Bord Failte or the Irish Sports Council or DISC or any other organisation takes on the task. The task must be taken on and the opportunity MUST NOT be lost.

The Tour de France is one of the really great sporting events in the world, competing with the Olympic Games, the World Cups in soccer or rugby and the big grand prix motor racing events. Here we have a wonderful opportunity of, quite literally, "cashing in" on its importance. Any sign of shilly shallying and the organisers have the option of going elsewhere.

This is an option which might be snapped up by the Tour organisers, who are wall aware that there are other countries which would jump at the chance. This country has already established its credentials as a possible venue. All that is needed is a positive approach by the people in government, who must indicate immediately that official support is guaranteed.

DISC has already made the running on this matter with a view to bringing the Tour to Ireland in 1998, coincidentally, the bi-centenary of the 1798 rebellion, which brought us a French `invasion' of a different kind.

What is needed now is for a government decision to throw its full financial weight behind the project and to draw all the strands of interest together under the auspices of a body such as the Sports Council in co-operation with government departments and DISC so that no effort is spared to bring the Tour to Ireland.

Here is a wonderful opportunity to promote this country as a sporting venue, as a holiday venue, as a place where harmony can reign and people can unite. Even if a chance were to arise that the Tour could go through Drumcree on July 12th it should not be missed.

More practically and realistically, a decision should be made without delay on the matter. Any foot dragging might well be regarded as a lack of enthusiasm. Lack of enthusiasm or passion is not popular in France, particularly when cycling is involved. If this particular opportunity is lost our politicians may not be as welcome as they would like to be the next time they turn up at a match or a funeral. A rather frosty reception might await them.