Seán Connick (Wexford, Fianna Fail)

I am taking this matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Support, Deputy Mary Hanafin. I thank Deputy McEllistrim for raising the matter. The Minister is supportive of the efforts of the tourism state agencies and the national governing bodies of sport to attract international events here, subject to an assessment of the costs and benefits involved in any State financial support. Since taking up office, the Minister, Deputy Hanafin, has been involved in several meetings and discussions relating to such sports events.

In accordance with the provisions of section 8(1) of the National Tourism Development Authority Act 2003, consideration of possible support towards such events is a day-to-day matter for Fáilte Ireland. Fáilte Ireland administers the Government's international sports tourism initiative, which has been in operation for ten years. The key objectives in sponsoring events through this initiative are to secure significant worldwide media coverage and tourism marketing opportunities for Ireland and secure significant bed nights and economic benefits for the region in which the event is taking place.

Under the initiative, Fáilte Ireland has provided sponsorship to several significant events including the Irish Open Golf Championship and the World Rally Championship. The initiative was also a key factor in the hosting of the 2006 Ryder Cup in Ireland. Fáilte Ireland also supported the very successful stopover of the Volvo Ocean Race in Galway during 2009. This event exceeded all expectations in terms of visitor numbers and economic benefits, to the extent that Galway has been selected as the finishing venue for the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-2012. We greatly look forward to welcoming the Solheim Cup at Killeen Castle next year. It will be a great honour for Ireland to host one of the most prestigious golf tournaments in the world.

With regard to a bid to host the International Children's Games in 2015, the Minister, Deputy Hanafin, met with Deputy McEllistrim in July along with representatives of Tralee International Children's Games Limited, the body seeking to place the bid to host the games in Tralee in 2015.

The Minister, Deputy Hanafin, suggested that the organisers should meet with the Department and Fáilte Ireland to discuss the matter further. A subsequent meeting was arranged by the Department, which took place on Monday, 8 November. The meeting was attended by a representative of Tralee International Children's Games Limited, the operations manager for Fáilte Ireland south west and an official from the Department. At the meeting, Fáilte Ireland provided details of the basis on which it assesses the tourism potential of proposed sporting events. Fáilte Ireland is currently examining what supports may be available towards assisting with the bid process and will advise Tralee International Children's Games Limited in this regard. A further meeting will take place later this week directly between Fáilte Ireland and Tralee International Children's Games Limited to progress the matter.

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