Irish weather sold to Germans

Irish weather will be marketed in Germany as a sensual experience at the Expo 2000, to be held in Hanover over a five-month period.

Rain, wind and perhaps a little £6 million to assemble and administer.

The cost is being borne by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. The project is called "Dul", meaning "element", and is intended to reflect the Expo's themes of humankind, nature and technology.

The "Dul" team is led by Ms Orna Hanly, who, among other projects, worked on the GAA Museum, Croke Park, and Mr Sean O Laoire, whose company was commissioned for King John's Centre and the Glucksman Library in Limerick, and the draft master plan for the Dublin docklands. O Laoire said.

At yesterday's launch, the winning design out of 27 entries was praised for its integrated architectural and interior design which marks a departure from previous trade and cultural fairs. The Minister of State for Labour, Trade and Consumer Affairs, Mr Tom Kitt, said: "The strong linear organisation of the plan was seen as highly attractive, with an excellent integration of outside spaces and a highly developed design."

Mr Steve Conlon, of Enterprise Ireland, said "Ireland Inc" had to be commercially focused. "Germany is a very important market for Ireland within the free market," he said.