Richard O'Donoghue (Limerick County, Independent Ireland Party)

I am delighted to welcome the Ryder Cup to Ireland and that it will be in Limerick, the real capital of Ireland, as I call it. We now have a world-class golf tournament in Ireland. I have to thank the McManus family for what they have done not only for Limerick but the rest of the country and for what they have invested in this country and in Adare, Country Limerick. I am delighted for the people of Adare that it will host the Ryder Cup. I am also thankful for what the McManus family has done for sports in Ireland. It has given every county in Ireland €1 million and to UK clubs affiliated with Ireland because they love Ireland, Limerick and sport.

The World Rally Championship wanted to come here and we wanted to bid for 2025, 2026 and 2027. From Malin to Mizen Head would have had funding. The Government turned its back on the World Rally Championship. We could have had two world events in Ireland that would have benefited the whole country, like the Ryder Cup. People from Dublin rang me this evening to thank us for having the Ryder Cup. Their bed and breakfast accommodation is booked out. People are coming for two weeks and travelling down to Limerick for one or two days of the Ryder Cup. I thank the people of Limerick for what they have done but I am disappointed with the Government that it forgot to invest in the World Rally Championship.

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