Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 December 2023
277. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her role in hosting major sporting events such as the European finals; what co-operation is engaged in with other agencies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53346/23]
View answer295. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the extent to which endeavours continue to be made to host international sporting events in this country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53869/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 277 and 295 together.
Ireland has consistently demonstrated ambition in terms of attracting to the country large scale sports events that can make a positive return under a range of headings including in terms of the economy and tourism, wider participation in sport, and general wellbeing. This is evidenced by the Government’s decisions to support events, including:
• The US College Football Classic series from 2022 – 2026
• The UEFA Europa League football final in 2024
• The Ryder Cup in 2027 in Limerick
• Co-hosting of the UEFA Euro 2028 football championship with the UK
• Proposed co-hosting of the 2030 T20 Cricket World Cup with the UK
My Department's key roles in this regard is to:
(a) develop a policy and a strategy for bidding and hosting Major Sports Events and an assessment model for State financial support, and
(b) manage and coordinate State support for bids for and the subsequent hosting of Major Sports Events and to protect and promote the State’s interests in the delivery of events.
In so doing the Department assesses the economic, sporting and social case for supporting a bid to host a Major Sport Event. Where a positive case exists, Minister Martin and I will seek Government approval to bids for Major Sports Events by sporting organisations, in particular in relation to the provision of necessary Government guarantees and the provision of specific public services. The Department will then co-ordinate Government support in the hosting and delivery of events, as appropriate, with particular regard again to Government guarantees and the provision of public services.
To that end, officials in the Department engage closely with a range of bodies including National Governing Bodies of Sport, local authorities, An Garda Síochána, other Government Departments and agencies in evaluating and delivering major sports events.
In line with the commitment in the Programme for Government, a Major International Sports Events Policy is currently being developed by my Department. The aim is to establish whether and how Government should support major international sports events, the benefits it should seek to derive from such events, the supports it could offer and the kind of events it should prioritise for support. This will provide the basis for a strategy to support and attract major international sports events and an assessment model based on the identified priorities. Mechanisms and channels to support events will also be developed.
Focused consultations with key stakeholders have been held and a public consultation has been completed. Research, including consideration of the policies and strategies in place in other countries, has been undertaken.
My Department has prepared a high level policy paper which is currently the subject of consultation with other Government Departments. It is intended thereafter to submit the policy to Government in the coming period.
