Michael Ahern (Cork East, Fianna Fail)

Our similar climate, proximity and good transport links, common language and strong business and tourism links with the UK present many opportunities for Ireland to benefit from the London games. Sport has the capacity to unite and excite the whole country like nothing else and the Olympics remain the biggest sporting event of them all. London 2012 is a once in a lifetime opportunity for the people of Ireland to experience the Olympics up close.

The Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism established the London 2012 Olympics task force in August 2006 to ensure that Ireland can identify and maximise the complete range of opportunities arising from our proximity to the Olympic and Paralympic games in London. The task force includes experts from the sport, tourism, cultural and business sectors and is supported by staff within the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism. The group was asked to examine all possible opportunities, identify the priority areas of interest and map out a strategy to ensure that Ireland will benefit from its proximity to London in 2012.

One of the first pieces of work that the task force carried out was an audit of high quality sports facilities suitable to attract international athletes to train in the years leading up to the London 2012 Olympic Games. In parallel with this audit and better to inform the future work of the task force, the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism appointed Indecon International Economic Consultants to carry out an economic evaluation of the benefit to the island of Ireland of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games. This evaluation has now been completed and the task force is considering the findings and recommendations. It is important that any expenditure on facilities will be aimed not only at attracting teams but primarily at ensuring a lasting legacy for Irish athletes and communities.

I understand that the task force will shortly be submitting recommendations to my colleague, the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, on the work that it has carried out and the Minister looks forward to receiving the report in due course.