THREE car ferries with three miles of car and passenger space will be needed to transport the 198 competitors, about 2,000 team and race officials and about 1,000 journalists to Ireland for next year's Tour de France. In addition, several thousand cycling fans are expected from the main participating Continental countries, such as France, Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain.
The Minister for Tourism and Trade, Mr Kenny, has been backing the project since the idea was first put to him by Mr Pat McQuaid, president of the Federation of Irish Cyclists.
The Tour de France is covered by media in over 100 countries and has an estimated TV audience of 900 million. Mr Kenny argued in government that an investment of £2 million would pay off richly in the international profile Ireland will enjoy for the three days the race is here.
However, Mr Kenny has had to rely on a number of colleagues to make up the full amount. Contributions have been made by the Minister for Finance, Mr Quinn, the Minister for Agriculture, Mr Yates, the Minister for the Environment, Mr Howlin, and the Minister for State at the Department of Education, Mr Bernard Durkan, who has special responsibility for sport.
Mr Yates and Mr Howlin were particularly anxious the Tour should come to Wexford in the year they will be celebrating the 200th anniversary of the 1798 rebellion.
The main problem still to be ironed out is that of transporting so many people at one time from France to Ireland. It is understood that Stena Line will be the official carrier, though a spokesman for Stena declined to comment in advance of today's announcement. Finding accommodation at the height of the tourist season will also present difficulties.
It is not clear whether the Irish leg of the Tour will finish in Dublin or in Cork. Mr Allen, a Cork TD, is anxious that the cyclists and their entourage should return to France from Ringaskiddy. The race resumes in Brittany, which is served by the Cork Roscoff ferry.
Mr McQuaid said yesterday he could not reveal any details of the arrangement until Mr Kenny and the tour director have spoken.