Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

207. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he and his Department continue to promote the use of this country to host major international sporting events; the extent to which he continues to engage with sporting organisations in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47403/13]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

  The Programme for Government includes a commitment that event tourism will be prioritised in order to continue to bring major events to Ireland. The hosting of major sports events, both participative and spectator sports, can provide a great showcase for Ireland, drive international visitor numbers and the media coverage of sports tourism events helps to put Ireland onto travel itineraries as a holiday destination.  In this regard, I look forward to the Giro d'Italia coming to Ireland next year.

I am supportive of the ongoing efforts of the State Tourism Agencies and the National Governing Bodies of Sport to attract international events, subject, of course, to an assessment of the costs/benefits involved in any State financial support.