Seanad debates
Wednesday, 5 March 2003
Order of Business.
On a completely different matter, one of the greatest sports events in the world, the Americas Cup, concluded in Auckland this week and was won by Switzerland. It brought €1 billion into the economy of Auckland in recent months and will be held next in Europe. It is likely to be hosted by either the United Kingdom, Portugal or Ireland. When Deputy Kenny was Minister with responsibility for sport, he managed to bring the Tour de France to this country. I ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism to consider making a huge investment to bring the Americas Cup to Ireland. The sailing grounds in Dingle Bay off the south-west coast would be spot-on as a venue. There are marinas in Caherciveen, Dingle, Fenit and Kilrush and the event would bring €1 billion into the economy of the west. Switzerland cannot host the event on Lake Geneva. As this news is only one day old, there is time for us to make a strong case to bring the greatest sailing event in the world to the constituency of the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism.
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