Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 February 2022
253. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the extent to which she and her Department are likely to continue to encourage the holding of major international sporting events in Ireland in the course of 2022 and thereafter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10756/22]
View answerMajor sports events have the potential to drive participation in sport, contribute to tourism, trade, community engagement and economic growth. My Department is responsible for coordinating Government support for potential bids for major international sports events and, in line with the Programme for Government, it is currently developing a Major International Sports Events policy which will guide future Government support for these events.
Over recent years Ireland has won the bids to host Ryder Cup 2027, EURO 2020 and the Women’s Rugby World Cup and engaged in a bid for Rugby World Cup 2023. Ireland has also been selected as the preferred co-host for the 2030 T20 Cricket World Cup. In regard to a potential joint bid to host the 2028 UEFA EURO championships, Minister Martin and I will need to have a clearer understanding of the costs and benefits of jointly 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.
