Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 February 2022
25. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if an update will be provided on the Government’s engagement with the joint bid for Euro 2028 by Ireland and the UK; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10321/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe football associations in the UK and Ireland recently indicated their intention to bid to jointly host the UEFA European Championships in 2028. Ireland was due to host part of the 2020 iteration of those championships; the Department worked closely with the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) in bidding for and preparing to co-host the 2020 event, so I am well aware of the significance and scale of the tournament and what a positive experience it could be to jointly host it in 2028.
In terms of Government support for a potential bid to host the 2028 championships, while I and the Department are positively disposed to such a bid, we will need to have a clearer understanding of the costs and benefits of jointly hosting the event before committing to supporting 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.
