The Taoiseach, Mr Bertie Ahern, today defended the Government's decision to sponsor the Irish Masters snooker tournament at a cost of
£600,000.
In order to promote its anti-smoking message, the Department of Health has joined forces with the Citywest Hotel to sponsor the tournament - formerly known as the Benson and Hedges Irish Masters - for the next three years.
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Last September Gallahers, the firm that makes Benson and Hedges in Ireland, said it had been forced to withdraw its 12-year sponsorship of the tournament. Because of the new European ban on advertising and tobacco sponsorship.
Speaking in the Dáil, Mr Ahern said cancer was one of the biggest killers and the money earmarked for health promotion was being spent to help prevent disease.
He said the sponsorship of the prestigious event would promote the benefits of not smoking, especially among younger viewers.
But Labour Party health spokesperson Ms Liz McManus said: "It beggars belief that Minister Martin has committed over half a million pounds for the next three years to the sponsorship of a snooker tournament.
"I have no doubt that in this economic climate a commercial sponsor of the Irish Masters tournament could have been found. We have a crisis in our health system ... an injection of £600,000 could have made a real difference" she said.
Announcing the deal, Minister for Health Mr Martin said: "Last year I introduced a complete ban on all forms of advertising and sponsorship of tobacco products. I was anxious, however, to ensure that our decision to ban would not adversely affect the running of this popular tournament," he said.
The event, which has a prize fund of £195,000 and a top prize of £75,000, is to take place between March 27th and April 1st.
PA