Joe Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 28: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the improvements to Ireland's sporting infrastructure and facilities that will be made in order to allow athletes here prepare for major international sporting competitions in general, and the 2012 London Olympics in particular; his views on whether there has been little improvement in such facilities for Ireland's elite athletes since the 2004 Athens Olympics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34818/06]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 47: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will expand on his recent comments that several countries have already expressed an interest in coming here to prepare for the 2012 London Olympics; his views on whether facilities are sufficient to attract countries to base themselves here in advance of the Olympics; the expressions of interest that have been received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34819/06]

Seán Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
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Question 53: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will provide details of the new taskforce established to identify and maximise the opportunities arising from the 2012 London Olympics; the taskforce's main objectives; the potential benefits to Ireland and sport here in particular that arise from the London Olympics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34817/06]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 28, 47 and 53 together.

It is widely recognised that the selection of London as the host city for the 2012 Summer Olympic Games and Paralympic Games offers an unprecedented opportunity for Ireland particularly in the areas of sport, business, tourism, and arts and culture. Aside from the obvious economic and monetary benefits that London 2012 may bring for Ireland, this event has the potential to have a significant and long-term impact on the future of sport in Ireland, but only if early planning is undertaken and opportunities are recognised and are fully availed of.

With this in mind, I recently established a Task Force comprising representatives from the art, sport, tourism, and business sectors. The main objective of this group is to examine possible opportunities arising out of London 2012, identify the priority areas of interest, and map out a strategy to ensure that Ireland maximises this unique opportunity to benefit from its proximity to London. A list of the members of the Task Force in attached. The Task Force has held two meetings to date and I very much look forward to receiving their recommendations in due course.

London 2012 will offer obvious opportunities with regard to sport. The Olympic Council of Ireland has advised that a number of countries including the USA, Germany and Brazil have made enquiries regarding the use of Ireland as a base leading up to the Games. Ireland is an ideal location for such a training camp, possessing the advantages of being in the same climatic and time zones as London, within an hour by air travel, and Ireland will avoid most of the media hype that one often finds in the host country.

If Ireland is to be attractive to potential participating athletes, access to high quality sporting and residential accommodation must be available. An audit of national facilities is to be undertaken which will provide us with more accurate information on the range, suitability and type of facilities which are currently available. The Olympic Council of Ireland has already identified a number of individual sports facilities which are of suitable quality but may require minor upgrades. A limited number of local authority facilities may also be worth considering for the training camps. It is also possible that universities and institutions may be able to put together packages of facilities and accommodation.

Once the audit is completed, we will have a more comprehensive idea of the quality of facilities available, whether these facilities need to be upgraded, and the level of expenditure required in order to bring these facilities up to the standard required by potential visiting athletes and to cater for our own elite athletes in their preparations for future sporting competitions. Our proximity to the world's largest sporting event could produce a lasting legacy and any physical infrastructure built to attract teams will benefit future Irish athletes.

By the end of 2006, this Government will have invested in excess of €900 million in Irish sport since 1998. Of this amount, approximately €500 million has been spent on the development of sporting facilities at a national, regional and local level. A significant proportion of this investment has gone towards developing a network of top quality facilities around the country designed to meet the training, coaching and competition needs of our elite competitors in a wide spectrum of sports.

Among the major projects which have been supported are the National Aquatic centre, the National Rowing centre at Inniscarra, the National Tennis centre, the National Boxing stadium, the National Hockey stadium at UCD and the National Coaching and Training Centre at the University of Limerick, which complements the wide range of top quality facilities provided at the University, many of which have been used by international sportspersons. It is understood that some 25 Olympic medals have been won by sportspersons from abroad who have used the facilities at UL to perfect their training. Recent Government decisions to proceed with phase 1 of the Sports Campus at Abbotstown and the development of the Irish Institute of Sport are important new components of Ireland's developing sports infrastructure. It is therefore fair to say that over the past number of years, there has been a significant improvement in sporting facilities catering for our elite athletes, and this will continue in the run-up to London 2012.

From a tourism perspective, London 2012 provides an opportunity for Ireland to attract visitors before and after the Games. The successful hosting of the Special Olympics World Summer Games in 2003 and the Ryder Cup held recently at the K-Club greatly enhanced Ireland's reputation and credibility on the world stage as a safe and welcoming destination. This very positive experience is something we can very usefully build on with London 2012 fast approaching. Our aim should be that tourists and teams visiting Ireland in connection with the Olympic Games would also return for visits in future years.

London 2012 will also afford opportunities for the promotion of our arts and culture during the anticipated Cultural Olympiad which will run parallel to the Games throughout London and the rest of the UK as part of the wider experience of 2012.

Furthermore, there is significant potential for Irish firms to become involved in developing infrastructure, providing services associated with the preparation for the Games and during the Games, and local services associated with training camps in Ireland. Irish companies may also seek to sponsor elements of the Games for marketing purposes.

The 2012 Olympic Games in London is a once in a lifetime opportunity for Ireland to promote our country and culture, to generate a keener interest in sport, to open up new markets for tourism, for Irish business of all sizes to be involved in the substantial construction programme and supply of services before and during the games, and to provide a massive boost and lasting legacy for sport in Ireland.