Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Durkan for his question. The hosting of major sports events, both participative and spectator, can be a great showcase for Ireland and drive international visitor numbers. In addition, the media coverage of sports events helps to put Ireland on travel itineraries as a holiday destination.

Accordingly, I am supportive of the ongoing efforts of the tourism agencies, specifically Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland, and the national governing bodies of sport to attract international events, subject to an assessment of the costs and benefits involved in any State financial support, and overseas visitors.

The Government has assisted the IRFU in its successful bid to host the Women's Rugby World Cup, which will take place in 2017. The Government has also supported the FAI in its successful bid to host four games as part of the UEFA Euro 2020 football championship and the Government and the Northern Ireland Executive are supporting the IRFU in its preparation of a bid to host the Rugby World Cup in 2023. Ireland has successfully passed the applicant phase of that process and is through to the candidate phase. The Northern and Southern Governments will be working closely with the IRFU to ensure that the best possible bid is lodged with World Rugby next June. A final decision will be made by World Rugby in November 2017.

A number of other international sports events hosted in Ireland in 2016 have been supported by the Event Ireland division of Fáilte Ireland, such as the World Masters Fly Fishing Championships, the World Karate Championships, the World Archery Field Championships, the World Boat Angling Championships, the FEI European Jumping Championship for juniors, the modern pentathlon Youth A World Championships, the World Rugby Women's Sevens Olympic Repechage, the World Junior and Cadet Kickboxing Championships and the World Shore Angling Championships. In that light, the Deputy will see that the Department and Fáilte Ireland have made a considerable commitment to the sector's development.

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