Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State has covered all of that particularly well. I might move to Senator Feighan's questions. I am well aware and pay tribute to the fact that Senator Feighan has for a long time pursued objectives around all-Ireland sports and the Commonwealth Games. It is a worthy pursuit and one we should address in the context of the fact that Ireland is becoming more and more a global centre of sporting activity. I am not saying we should suddenly offer to host a lot of events, but the Senator will know there are talks under way on the possibility of hosting the Ryder Cup in 2026. There are other focal points for sport, including the Euro 2020 soccer tournament, and there is even talk of us co-operating with the UK for the 2030 World Cup. We are moving into the international sphere and thinking more globally. Given the great achievements we have had overseas, we are thinking more about co-operating with others.

All-island sport has worked very well in terms of rugby. The Senator made a very good case for looking at it for other sports but it is as much a matter for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade as it is for us. I am happy to encourage any way the Senator thinks is practical subject to the diplomatic niceties involved, about which, more than anybody, the Senator would be appreciative.