John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 257 and 258 together.

Fáilte Ireland has estimated that the direct benefit to the economy of hosting of the 2006 Ryder Cup is in the region of €130m.

It is expected that, over the coming years, there will also be a lasting long-term benefit to the tourism industry, and the golf tourism sector in particular, as a result of the worldwide television coverage of the event and the raising of Ireland's profile generally. Furthermore, the positive experiences of overseas visitors to the event will serve as a valuable source of word-of-mouth marketing for our tourism industry for many years to come.

Fáilte Ireland, in conjunction with the PGA / European Tour, have commissioned Deloitte and Touche to conduct an economic impact assessment on the Ryder Cup in Ireland and I look forward to the results of their work.

Fáilte Ireland, as provided by Section (8) of the National Tourism Development Authority Act, 2003, is responsible for the encouragement, promotion and support of the development and marketing of tourist facilities and services within the State. As part of its day-to-day operations, it provides support for event-based tourism under such measures as the International Sports Tourism Initiative and the Festivals and Cultural Events Initiative, details of which are contained in the Annual Report and Accounts of Fáilte Ireland, copies of which have been placed in the Library of the House.