A DECISION on whether Ireland will host a stage of the Tour de France in 1998 may emerge today following a meeting between the Minister for Tourism and Trade, Mr Kenny, and Mr Pat McQuaid, president of the Federation of Irish Cyclists. Mr Kenny said yesterday he was well disposed towards the idea.
The issue will come down to money as the event would cost in the region of £2 million.
Mr McQuaid said the Tour de France organisers are coming under pressure from two other European cities, Liege and Turin, to host an out of France stage in 1998. They have guaranteed the funding, Mr McQuaid added, but the tour organisers "are keeping them at bay" because Ireland's application was in first,
The idea of holding part of the tour outside France originated after the 1992 Tour de France, according to Mr McQuaid. He was involved in taking the tour to Britain in 1994.
The idea of bringing it to Ireland arose during the weekend of the Ireland France international rugby match in 1995. Mr Jean Marie Leblanc, the race director of the Tour de France, came to Dublin to present medals to Irish cyclists Sean Kelly and Stephen Roche. He met Mr McQuaid, who is a member of the Dublin International Sports Council (DISC), and its president, Dr Tony O'Reilly.
"DISC is not just about bringing the Olympics to Ireland but any big international event," Mr McQuaid said.
They met the chairman of Bord Failte, Mr Padraig O hUiginn, and the idea of bringing the tour to Ireland was put forward. Bord Failte carried out a study of the likely economic benefits to Irish tourism. Mr McQuaid said he understood the report went to the Department of Tourism and Trade earlier this year.
Today's meeting between Mr Kenny and Mr McQuaid is likely to be critical as the organisers need a decision soon. "Until we say `No', they will keep Liege and Turin at bay", according to Mr McQuaid. Turin is the home of Fiat, a major sponsor of the tour.