Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 182: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his views on the report by a company (details supplied) in March 2008 which indicates that the economy here could realise €58 million in gross additional tourism receipts as a result of the 2012 Olympic Games by pre-games sports training and event related tourism activity, additional visitors here during the periods of the games being hosted and post-games legacy benefits through repeat business; the measures he has taken to date; the additional actions he intends to take in order to capitalise on this financial opportunity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46140/09]

Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 183: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if the efforts of the London 2012 task force have been successful here in attracting teams participating in the summer Olympic Games and Paralympic Games in view of the fact that Northern Ireland is seeking to attract ten countries or teams for pre-games training; the number of such teams he has identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46141/09]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 182 and 183 together.

The London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics Task Force was established in August 2006 to ensure Ireland could identify and maximise the complete range of opportunities arising from our proximity to the Olympic and Paralympic Games in London 2012. The Task Force included experts from the sport, tourism, cultural and business sectors and was supported by staff within my Department.

The Task Force report, which was published last February, makes a number of recommendations arising from an audit carried out of high quality sports facilities in Ireland and the findings of a report by Indecon International Economic Consultants on the economic evaluation of the benefit to the island of Ireland of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games.

Irrespective of the sporting facilities we have to offer, it is unlikely that there will be a significant number of international teams and athletes coming to Ireland in the lead up to the 2012 Games. Some individual competitors in specific sports may come here for particular reasons. However, there are a number of opportunities on the tourism and cultural sides which can be pursued.

I have recently established a high-level London 2012 coordinating group, chaired by my Department and comprising of representatives of the arts, sports, tourism and cultural agencies, to explore and develop initiatives and opportunities across the various sectors to capitalise on the proximity of the London Games. The discussions of the group will take into account the current economic situation and the findings of the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics Task Force Report. The first meeting of the group took place on 30th November 2009.