Máirín Quill
Question:31 Miss Quill asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the current position regarding Ireland's application to host major national and international sporting events over the next ten years. [18845/96]
Vol. 470 No. 3
31 Miss Quill asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the current position regarding Ireland's application to host major national and international sporting events over the next ten years. [18845/96]
42 Miss Harney asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the current position regarding Ireland's application to host major national and international sporting events over the next ten years. [18846/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos.31 and 42 together.
Matters relating to sport and sporting events, whether national or international, are primarily the responsibility of the Minister of State at the Department of Education with responsibility for sport.
However, because of the tourism promotional opportunities presented by certain international sporting events I, as Minister with responsibility for tourism, and Bord Fáilte have encouraged attempts to attract such events to Ireland. The most prominent among these would be the upcoming Notre Dame-Navy American Football game; next year's European Golf Open; the World Equestrian Games and the Tour de France, both of which are planned for 1998 and the subject of separate questions today. I have also today, in reply to Deputy Clohessy's question, outlined efforts currently under way to encourage the hosting of the 2005 Ryder Cup in Ireland.