Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)

That sounds like Westport should put in an application for the sports capital programme as it might find it would be putting it into a receptive Minister.

As Deputy Eoghan Murphy said, hosting the Rugby World Cup would be a fantastic opportunity. I am sure the Department of Finance would be the first to indicate the State's capacity to put in place the appropriate funding. While I accept these arguments, 2023 is a considerable time away. The tourism potential, as well as the sporting point of view, must also be considered. We should be able to give commitments to the various sporting organisations involved in ensuring they have the wherewithal to make it happen.

As I stated in my question, if it is necessary to involve the GAA, we should be prepared to do so. The GAA opened up considerably in the past by allowing the use of Croke Park by other sporting organisations. Of course, it will have to receive revenue for the use of the stadium. The revenues it received in the past were exceptionally well spent across the country. The GAA did not take it into central coffers but used it to develop centres of training excellence such as the one in County Clare.

I welcome the confirmation by the Minister of State that he is taking the matter seriously. It would benefit the State in many respects.

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