I propose to take Questions Nos. 640 and 641 together.
The hosting of major sports events can deliver additional international visits and helps to put Ireland onto travel itineraries as a holiday destination. The hosting last year of the Giro D'Italia on an all-island basis showed that the island of Ireland can successfully host such events and the FAI and Dublin City Council also recently won their bid to host part of the UEFA Euro 2020 tournament at the Aviva stadium.
Accordingly, I am supportive of the ongoing efforts of the Tourism Agencies and the National Governing Bodies of Sport, where appropriate in conjunction with their colleagues in Northern Ireland, to attract international events, subject, of course, to an assessment of the costs/benefits involved.
As the Deputy is aware, the Government and the Northern Ireland Executive, recently announced our support for the preparation of a joint bid for the Rugby World Cup by the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU). The IRFU, with support of both Governments, has commenced work on compiling the bid. An Overview Group will be appointed in the near future to oversee progress and guide the bid preparation.