Patrick Logue on the great Audi giveaway to Government
Brian Cowen is definitely going on several people's Christmas card list. A man who can secure €7.5 million worth of Audi A8s free of charge is somebody I want to call a friend.
The way he dealt with the irreverent Dr Paisley was admirable but this is something so much better. Our affable Minister for Foreign affairs announced last week the deal to beat all deals - free phones and Internet access from Eircom, free fizzy water from Tipperary, free food from Kerrygold and free cars from the Germans.
The sponsorship deals for the EU presidency starting in January, represent millions of euros worth of goods and services supplied to the Government. Basically, the State gets lots of free stuff for six months, and the companies involved get lots of free international advertising in return.
Now, the ministers, the minders and the hangers-on are (with the greatest respect to three aforementioned distinguished Irish firms) welcome to the phones, the water and the butter; I have those things in abundance at home. But as for the Audis, this writer wants a piece of the action.
Sales manager of Audi Ireland, John Hayes, says 35 A8s will be handed over to the Government pretty much straight away and a further 15 or more will be given over the course the six-month presidency.
"It's a bit of a coup, but it is also a responsible job," says Hayes. "We're not getting paid for this, so to speak, but we're very proud to be able to meet this demanding venture. This will give Audi an increased high profile in Ireland. We're rubbing our hands together at the prospect of showing Audi to the Irish public."
The cars will all be silver in colour, as this is "one of the better colours of Audi and in keeping with the four rings", says Hayes. The Minister and his European colleagues will acquire, not the standard version, but the top-of-the-range 4.2 litre V8 Quatro four-wheel-drive model with a long wheel-base for extra leg-room and a range of telecommuication equipment for the EU dignitaries.
The showroom price for the A8 starts at €87,400 for the three litre V6 and comes in at €109,900 for the 4.2 litre V8 version at the top end of the range. But with the added extras for the EU presidency requirements, the price tag per unit is almost €150,000. To buy 50 of them would be cost about €7.5 million.
Audi estimates the cost of lending the cars to the Government for six months at about €3.5 million, based on the estimated hire price for the vehicles, the shipping costs and the support services which will be provided. Audi is also throwing in a fleet of 30 Volkswagen Caravelles to meet the transport needs of the seemingly less-important, journalists included.
The cars will be driven by a mix of gardaí, Army personnel and staff supplied by Murray's Car Hire. Audi is no newcomer to this game and has supplied cars for six out of the last ten EU presidencies, including those in Greece and Denmark.