Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 229: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the role he sees for sport in the promotion of the national image; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13935/11]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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There are great synergies between tourism and sport. In particular sports tourism can be a valuable instrument in the promotion of Ireland both at home and abroad. Already this year the Aviva Stadium has hosted the Europa League Final which introduced thousands of Portuguese fans to our country. Ireland is also hosting the Volvo Ocean Yacht race and the Solheim Cup which will further boost our economy and showcase Ireland as a country worth visiting and doing business with.

In terms of building on the Good Friday Agreement all-island sports are very important. Cricket is a good example. The Irish team plays for the Republic and the North, for Protestants and Catholics, and those of no particular persuasion. The highlight of this sporting year may well have been our team's performance in the Cricket World Cup. The defeat of England, in particular, probably did more to raise Ireland's profile in the sub-continent of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh than the work of our embassy and agencies combined. It has opened a lot of doors.

Success in sport provides a means of projecting a national image to an international public. In addition success on the international stage, for example Rugby Grand Slam, Heineken Cup, Olympic Boxing, raises the morale of the people and shows that even as a small nation we can equal or surpass larger nations.