Sir, - The attack on the President and the Taoiseach by Maire Bean Ui Corcoran (letter dated August 1st) is unfair, unjustified and not based on the facts. The facts are that Michelle Smith's father, Brian, appealed for private sector, commercial sponsorship.
The Government has been supporting the Olympic Council of Ireland, the sport organisations and individual competitors, including Michelle, for many years. Since the Games in Barcelona, over £3 million has been given to the OCI by my department. A further £4 million has been invested by the Government in our individual sports people, sports - organisations and in the provision of coaching and testing for our top competitors.
The Olympic Council of Ireland has acknowledged that the Irish team in Atlanta was the best funded, best equipped and best prepared team Ireland has ever sent to an Olympic Games. - Yours, etc.,
Minister of State, Department of Education,
Dublin 1.