Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate Deputy Crowe's two questions. On the first question, we are developing a major events policy. I share the Deputy's ambition around the Tour de France or any other major event we could host. Obviously, there would be enormous economic tourism and sporting benefits to such a proposal. To someone who was born in the west, even though I live in Dublin, I share the Deputy's ambition for the whole of the west of Ireland and the Wild Atlantic Way from Kerry, to Clare and up to Donegal. As a major events unit in the Department, we are very much open to proposals that we can host and make work. The 2030 World Cup is a possibility and we are engaging on that basis. We are very much open for proposals. There is a fixed budget there to work on major event proposals and economic and business cases are developed on the back of those. We are keen to get a mix of sports, which is part of the discussion on major events, to ensure we open the eyes of our young people and everyone across the State to a whole range of sports. I hear what the Deputy has said on the Tour de France.

Senator Cassells has also raised the issue of the European Super League proposal and we absolutely agree and share those views. It is bad for football in Europe and is bad for Ireland as a small nation. It undermines leagues such as the League of Ireland. It is about elitism, a closed shop, and excess capitalism. The Taoiseach has sent a very strong message, along with other European leaders. I will be sending a very strong message with other sports ministers across Europe. We will also be supporting UEFA and the whole principle of UEFA, which is to respect all leagues and nations, and all young people across the world where football is about participation and community. It is not about this type of excessive capitalism that we have seen in recent days. The reaction from the political system in Ireland and across Europe has shown great unity of purpose across the board. We will be sending a very strong message. The Taoiseach has referenced that this afternoon. I will be doing the same through the FAI, UEFA and the European Union, that we need to ensure football is grassroots based, is community led, and that all teams can dream big. In my work as a Minister of State our constant engagement with the FAI has been to focus on strengthening the League of Ireland and our grassroots football development. Hopefully, when we get people back playing we can show that. From a capital perspective the Minister, Deputy Martin, and I have demonstrated that in recent weeks. The European Super League proposal is everything that sport should reject. I am completely opposed to it and will work with all colleagues to send a strong message from an Irish perspective.