Sports Events

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 February 2022

Tuesday, 15 February 2022

Questions (325, 326)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

325. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide a schedule of the projected annual funding she will make to an organisation (details supplied) to host an event; if she will be providing funding outside of the bid allocation for transport, security and promotion in line with that committed to for an event; and if she plans to further fund local authorities that will host games here. [7458/22]

Catherine Murphy

Question:

326. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if the State will be providing an indemnity to an organisation (details supplied) in respect of licensing for the bidding and hosting of an event. [7459/22]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

I propose to take Questions Nos. 325 and 326 together.

The football associations in the UK and Ireland have indicated their intention to bid to jointly host the UEFA European Championships in 2028. Ireland was due to host part of EURO 2020 and the Department worked well with the FAI in bidding for and preparing to host, so I am well aware of the significance and scale of the tournament and what a positive experience it could be to jointly host it in 2028.

In terms of the Government's approach to bid to host the 2028 championships, Minister Martin and I will need to have a clearer understanding of the costs and benefits of hosting the event before making any decision to support a bid. To that end the Department is engaging closely with the FAI in order to better evaluate the case for bidding for Euro 2028 and no commitments have been made at this point.

Question No. 326 answered with Question No. 325.