The Minister for Tourism and Trade, Mr Kenny:
"It will be the biggest sporting occasion ever held in this country. I hope people in their thousands, especially children, will line the streets and roads to watch it. There was a time when Ireland sent a Taoiseach to Paris for the Tour de France. Now I'm glad to say we're bringing the Tour de France to Ireland. I would have liked the tour to start in Killala in Co Mayo, my native county, but logistically this proved impossible."
The Tour de France director general, Mr Jean Marie Leblanc:
"There is good news and bad news today. If the bad news is your national (football) team was beaten. The good new is that you have won the Tour de France."
Stephen Roche, Tour de France winner in 1987:
"It is wonderful news. But it is a little disappointing there will be no Irish competitors at the highest level. It's a pity the Federation (of Irish Cyclists) did not build on the success Sean (Kelly) and I achieved but now you could say they have a second chance."
Mr Pat McQuaid, president of the Federation of Irish Cyclists and an Irish stages co ordinator:
"I sincerely hope that the tour coming to Ireland will leave a big legacy for the sport of cycling in Ireland. We hope the young people of Ireland will be so impressed by the size, scale and glamour of this great event that they will come into the sport in big numbers, so that soon we can send high quality riders over the compete in the Tour de France once again.
"Minister Kenny was totally behind us from the beginning. Over many meetings, anything we asked him for, he delivered on."
Mr Jonathan Irwin, chief executive of the Dublin International Sports Council:
This gives real credibility to the bid to eventually bring the Olympic Games to Dublin. In a six week period in the summer of 1998, Ireland will experience the spotlight of the world through sport. The hosting of the World Equestrian Games, the Cutty Sark Tall Ships and now the tour will give Ireland a media prominence which only a few years ago would have been thought impossible."
Mr Mark Mortell, Bord Failte chairman:
"It is exciting to be host to the tour, the World Equestrian Games and the tall ships race in the same year, though it will undoubtedly place a strain on our accommodation and amenities."