Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 April 2024
381. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to provide an update on a meeting she had with an organisation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16600/24]
View answerBefore the Department and Government commits public moneys to supporting the hosting of a major sports event in Ireland, a significant range of factors needs to be taken into account. These factors include the projected cost to the State, the expected economic benefits accruing to the State, and the proposed event’s capacity to contribute to wider policy objectives, such as increasing physical activity and participation in sport, and aligning with national environmental and sustainability policies.
It is imperative to ensure that whenever Ireland is responsible for the hosting of a major sports event, adequate preparation and engagement with relevant stakeholders, is undertaken. In the majority of instances where Ireland has been selected to host a major sporting event, several years of preparation are needed in advance.
In October 2023, my Department received a formal proposal from Motorsport Ireland, which sought significant public moneys from the State, towards supporting the hosting of rounds of the FIA World Rally Championship. Motorsport Ireland proposed that these rounds commence in 2025 and follow in 2026 and 2027. The receipt of this formal proposal, in October 2023, took place following a meeting I held in the Department, with Motorsport Ireland representatives in June 2023.
In light of the relative immediacy of the proposed start date for hosting the World Rally Championship, commencing as soon as 2025, the Department is unable to commit significant public moneys towards supporting an event starting in 2025, given the need for thorough further assessment.
However, I have advised Motorsport Ireland that the Department is prepared to fund an independent economic analysis and business case assessment should its hosting of the World Rally Championship in later years, beyond 2025, be feasible. It should be noted that the independent economic analysis and business case assessment is separate to the assessment which the Department has already undertaken.
I note that Motorsport Ireland has welcomed this commitment and has advised that it will engage with the event promoter regarding the feasibility of alternative hosting years.
It is important to emphasise that in its assessment, the Department considered the experience in Ireland, and outside of Ireland, in terms of hosting this event in the past. The Department also engaged with key stakeholders, including Fáilte Ireland and Sport Ireland. In undertaking this assessment, the Department identified potential issues regarding Motorsport Ireland’s proposal, including the likely return on investment, the displacement impacts of holding an event in busy tourism months, and capacity concerns. This underlines the need for adequate time to consider any proposal for the hosting of major sporting events.
It is important to note that a Government decision is needed in order to approve the allocation of the significant public moneys that are required for hosting major sports event, like the World Rally Championship, including in areas such as security costs, transport costs and other logistical costs.
My Department is open to further engagement with Motorsport Ireland on this matter should Motorsport Ireland consider the hosting of the World Rally Championship in later years, beyond 2025, to be feasible.
