Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 May 2014
269. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the discussions he has had with various sporting organisations, nationally and worldwide, with a view to the further utilisation of facilities in this jurisdiction in the context of world sporting events such as the Tour de France and-or Giro D'Italia or similar events; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22088/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra271. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which his Department has calculated the economic potential of hosting or co-hosting various sporting events in this jurisdiction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22090/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 269 and 271 together.
The hosting of major sports events can deliver additional international visits and helps to put Ireland onto travel itineraries as a holiday destination. I am supportive of the ongoing efforts of the Tourism Agencies and the National Governing Bodies of Sport to attract international events, subject, of course, to an assessment of the costs/benefits involved in any State financial support.
The hosting of the Giro D'Italia over the past week showed that the island of Ireland can successfully host large international events and ensure that participants and spectators alike have a great experience when they visit our shores.
Last November the Government considered a Memorandum on the discussions and analysis to date on a potential bid to host the Rugby World Cup in 2023.
While the Memorandum identified a number of challenges, the great potential of the event is also clear and I believe that hosting the Rugby World Cup on a cross-border basis in 2023 would be a great opportunity for Northern Ireland and Ireland. In response to the Memorandum, the Government expressed strong support for the proposal and for the conduct of further work to get to the stage of making a formal decision to bid.
In order to progress the matter further, Minister Varadkar and I met with Minister Arlene Foster and Minister Carál Ní Chuilín, who are the Ministers respectively responsible for tourism and sport in the Northern Ireland Executive, in Armagh on 22 January. We agreed to establish a working group to examine some key issues further and to report back to Ministers in the Summer. The working group, on which the IRFU and relevant Government Departments from both jurisdictions are represented, has held three meetings to date with the next meeting scheduled to take place on Monday next 19 May. I look forward to receiving their report.
In addition, the Government is very supportive of the FAI and Dublin City Council's recent bid to host part of the European Soccer Championships in 2020 at the Aviva stadium. The stadium is a world class facility and previously successfully hosted the 2011 Europa League Final. If successful, the bid will have a significant economic impact and hopefully encourage more young people to become involved in sport.
