Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 October 2023
15. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if the Irish bid for co-hosting the 2028 European Football Championships includes a back-up stadium in the event that Casement Park, Belfast is unavailable [45070/23]
View answerUEFA, the Union of European Football Associations, announced on Tuesday 10 October that Ireland will jointly host the UEFA EURO 2028 Championship with the UK and this presents a wonderful opportunity to showcase Ireland and our world-class tourism and sports offering to Europe and the wider world. The award of the Championship to Ireland and the UK rewards the intensive North-South and East West co-operation in the preparation and presentation of the bid.
Each of the bid partners will see matches happening in their jurisdictions and, from a whole of island perspective, it will be great for football fans to see matches happening in both Belfast and Dublin. Casement Park, Belfast and Northern Ireland are integral to the successful UEFA EURO 2028 bid. Ireland's component of the bid is centred on the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
The inclusion of Casement Park as part of the winning bid has the firm support of the five football associations and all partners, including both Governments. While redevelopment of Casement Park is a matter for the Northern Ireland authorities and the British Government, the Taoiseach has confirmed that the Government will seek to work with the British Government and the GAA on the development of the stadium with a view to it hosting games at Euro 2028.
The bid partnership is focussed on developing and delivering an outstanding venue at Casement Park that will inspire and serve local communities for generations to come. Indeed, the positive collaboration between the Irish Football Association and the GAA in Northern Ireland demonstrates the power of sport to bring people together, an approach that has given us this historic opportunity that will deliver profound social, cultural and political legacies beyond football.
