Terry Brennan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Tourism has been mentioned by a number of colleagues in the House. The Garth Brooks concerts are proving to be the secret weapon of the tourism industry this year. I understand 100,000 of the 400,000 tickets for the concerts were bought by people abroad. This will provide a great boost for trade and tourism and, no doubt, generate further tourism in the years ahead. The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Leo Varadkar, is also trying to have an American football become a regular fixture at Croke Park. Members will be aware that the Notre Dame v. Navy American football fixture in 2012 brought a €60 million dividend to the country and was a tremendous success. Last week in the lift of a hotel I met two visitors from the United States who, when I asked if it was their first visit to Ireland, responded that they had been in Ireland almost two years ago for the Notre Dame v.Navy American football match and had returned on this occasion with four or five neighbours. I am pleased to announce that on 30 August a fixture between the University of Florida and Penn State will be held at Croke Park. Given the natural affinity between Ireland and the United States and our mutual love of sport, I would love to see Ireland hosting American football games on a more regular basis with, perhaps, some taking place in Cork, Galway, Dundalk and so on. It is good news for the tourism industry.