Minister firm on refusal

THE Minister for Trade and Tourism, Enda Kenny, speaking publicly in the Dail for the first time on the crisis facing the 1998 World Equestrian Games, last night stated unequivocally that there would be no further Government funding for the project.

Minister Kenny was responding to questions raised by Fianna Fail deputies David Andrews and Tony Killeen in last night's adjournment debate about the future of the 1998 Games. The Minister stated that his responsibility to the taxpayers of Ireland "requires me to cap Exchequer liabilities in respect of a project facing a serious and growing risk of major losses. The Irish taxpayer is the only person being asked to take the risk of investment here."

The organising company, WEG Ireland Ltd, was informed at the end of March that no further State funding would be available for the £10.9 million scheme and, commenting last night on a subsequent meeting between WEG representatives and senior officials of the Department, Minister Kenny said. "There was no substantial case put forward to address Government concerns. Nothing has happened since that decision was taken which would merit it being reconsidered."

Speaking after the debate, Kenny acknowledged that WEG Ireland would be furnishing him with further documentation on sponsorship expectations tomorrow. It is believed that WEG will also be offering assurances on management and control of the scheme in response to concerns expressed by a source close to the Government.

am quite prepared to wait and see what's in the document, but I'm not going to give them any hope on that at all. The Government decision to cap funding was taken based on the position on that day. We'll have to wait and see what they come up with on Friday.

The Government has not pulled the plug on the Games. These are not the Government Games, they are the responsibility of WEG Ireland. To maintain the high profile of Irish sporting events, they have to be professionally and efficiently run." The Minister confirmed that the proposed £8 million refit for Punchestown, which would include construction of a major national equestrian centre, would not be affected by the Government decision to withhold further funding for the 1998 Games.

The current crisis facing WEG Ireland is to be discussed at a meeting of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) in Geneva this afternoon when, it is believed. WEG chairman Conor Crowley will ask for a period of grace for his company to put a sponsorship and television coverage package in place before the rights to host the 1998 Games are withdrawn from Ireland and offered to Britain and Germany.