The decision to appoint the Formula One motor racing team owner Mr Eddie Jordan as a tourism sporting ambassador for Ireland has been sharply criticised by a leading anti-smoking group.
Ash Ireland has written to the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, the Minister for Sport, Dr McDaid, and the Minister for Health, Mr Cowen, to protest at the decision because of the association of Mr Jordan's team with advertising tobacco products.
Dr Fenton Howell, a board member of Ash, said that Formula One racing was one of the major promoters of tobacco products in Ireland to children. "Eddie Jordan is an ambassador for the tobacco industry. It is impossible to see how he also can be an ambassador for Irish sport. All his gear and his cars are decked out in promotional advertising for tobacco."
A spokesman for the Minister for Sport, who appointed Mr Jordan, said he had been asked "himself, not his team".
He said Mr Jordan was an international figure who was well known and would be perfectly placed to promote Ireland as a sporting venue. "His role as a sporting ambassador is a recognition for what he has achieved to date. We are also looking forward to the work he can do for Ireland in the future and the benefit for Irish tourism."
Asked about the tobacco link, the spokesman said: "Our concern is the promotion of Ireland as a major venue for sport. His performance ensures that this facet will get massive publicity. The promotion of tobacco is not of our choosing but he is of our choosing, for the promotion of Ireland."
But Dr Howell, who is president of the Irish Medical Organisation, questioned whether Mr McDaid had ensured Mr Jordan would not be promoting tobacco at the same time as Ireland.
"Was the Minister ambushed on this? Where did this initiative come from to appoint him, to appoint someone with such close links to the tobacco industry?"
But Dr McDaid's spokesman denied that there had been any influence on the Minister's decision by the tobacco industry. "Absolutely none. This is not the first time Eddie has attracted Irish State support."