Paddy Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I support Senator Maria Byrne's call for the Government to support the bid by J.P. McManus to bring the Ryder Cup to Ireland in 2026. We have been very lucky in this country to have had people like Dr. Michael Smurfit and J.P. McManus to drive and promote golf in this country. There are 420 golf courses in Ireland. Indeed, there are more golf courses per head of population here than in any other country in the world. Ireland is also the cheapest place in the world to play golf.

I am delighted that Mr. McManus has decided to put in a bid to host the Ryder Cup in 2026 but he needs the support of the Government. I support Senator Byrne's call for the Government, from the Taoiseach down, to get behind Mr. McManus in his bid to bring the Ryder Cup to Adare Manor in the mid-west. The manor is surrounded by a good road network and there is an airport nearby. It has all of the facilities needed to host such an event.

The last time the Ryder Cup was held here was 2006. In 1997 and 1998 the then Government rowed in behind Dr. Smurfit's efforts to bring the competition to the K Club. A lot of work and advance planning has to be done and we are lucky that Mr. McManus is willing to put his money, his property and his facilities forward in a bid to host what is one of the biggest golfing events in the world, which takes place every two years. There is a great need to disperse tourists when they come here, to encourage them to head west from our eastern seaboard and hosting the Ryder Cup will put us on the world stage. I fully support Senator Byrne's remarks.