Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)

Obviously the Olympic games in London in 2012 are almost as significant as the Ryder Cup in regard to tourism and sport in Ireland. Given the competition for pre-training bases and bases for the actual games, has the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism been in contact with Irish Embassies around the world to ascertain their interest in seeking pre-training bases or bases in Ireland during the Olympic games? When will the interagency to which the Minister referred be put in place? Obviously it will include members of the Sports Council and the Olympic Council.

On the last day we discussed this issue the Minister and I said the GAA has its own identity and its own regulations. This is an opportunity to extend the hand of sport to ensure Ireland benefits most. The national sports councils that have facilities that would attract foreign countries to prepare a base here should be contacted. Given the Minister's success in representing the Government side in regard to Croke Park, although not involved in the decision-making process, this is another opportunity to extend the hand of sport through the mechanisms of the GAA, the IRFU and the FAI to facilities that can be used.

Apart from the Ryder Cup this is the most important sporting event here and in the UK since 1948. I hope we can use every facility and all the goodwill in sport in Ireland to attract as many countries as possible for pre-training or actual bases during the Olympic games. Have the Irish embassies been contacted? Are there possibilities in respect of sport organisations? When will the interagency be put in place? Will we see a detailed programme of events leading up to the games and a successful association with these games?

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