Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 February 2019
664. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he continues to promote Ireland as a sports event centre with particular reference to encouraging such events here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7095/19]
View answerThe hosting of sports events, both participative and spectator sports, can provide great opportunities to showcase Ireland and drive international visitor numbers. In addition, the media coverage of sports events helps to put Ireland onto travel itineraries as a holiday destination.
Accordingly, I am very supportive of the work of the tourism agencies and the national governing bodies of sport to attract international events, subject, of course, to an assessment of the costs and benefits involved in any State financial support, in particular the number of overseas visitors.
Fáilte Ireland provides financial assistance, subject to eligibility criteria, to applicants who are proposing to bid to host international events (including sporting events) in Ireland that would attract significant numbers of international visitors. When an event with international tourism appeal is confirmed for Ireland, Tourism Ireland would then promote it in relevant markets overseas.
In terms of forthcoming sporting events, as the Deputy is aware, following a successful collaborative bid from the Football Association of Ireland, Dublin City Council and my Department, Ireland will host four games as part of the UEFA EURO 2020 football tournament in June 2020. Ireland will also host the UEFA European Under 17 Championships in 2019 and, in American Football, Navy and Notre Dame will return to Ireland in 2020 for a high profile US college football game having previously played here in 2012.
Minister Ross and I also support efforts to explore possibilities to host other major sporting events. With regard to soccer, we welcomed the announcement by the FAI and IFA of their intention to submit a joint bid to host the UEFA European Under 21 Championships in 2023. In addition, the national football associations of England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland are in discussions about the feasibility of bidding to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup and those considerations are at an early stage. In the sport of golf, we are exploring the opportunities that may exist for hosting the Ryder Cup in Ireland in the future.
