John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 345: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the meetings he has had with Tourism Ireland and the national sporting bodies in regard to the selection of Ireland as a venue for international events; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38270/08]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Fáilte Ireland administers the International Sports Tourism Initiative (ISTI), the objective of which is to enhance Ireland's international reputation as a sports venue, and consequently to increase sports-related tourism through the generation of additional overseas visitors and offering Ireland the ability to communicate the holiday message through global media coverage.

The ISTI has been highly successful in attracting world class events to Ireland including the Ryder Cup 2006, the World Rally Championship in 2007 and 2009, the Volvo Ocean Race in 2009 and the Solheim Cup in 2011. These high profile sporting events attract global media coverage and international visitors and are a valuable means of promoting Ireland as a holiday destination.

I am supportive of the efforts of the Tourism State Agencies and the National Governing Bodies of Sport to attract international events here, subject, of course, to an assessment of the costs/benefits involved in any State financial support. Since taking up office, I have been involved in a number of meetings and discussions relating to such sports events, including in the areas of golf, basketball, equestrian and sailing.