Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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640. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he continues to liaise with the various national and international sporting bodies with a view to attracting events like the Rugby World Cup to this country on an all-island basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5005/15]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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641. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he continues to make contact with various promoters in the sporting sector worldwide with a view to encouraging location of major events here with obvious economic benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5006/15]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 640 and 641 together.

The hosting of major sports events can deliver additional international visits and helps to put Ireland onto travel itineraries as a holiday destination.  The hosting last year of the Giro D'Italia on an all-island basis showed that the island of Ireland can successfully host such events and the FAI and Dublin City Council also recently won their bid to host part of the UEFA Euro 2020 tournament at the Aviva stadium.

Accordingly, I am supportive of the ongoing efforts of the Tourism Agencies and the National Governing Bodies of Sport, where appropriate in conjunction with their colleagues in Northern Ireland, to attract international events, subject, of course, to an assessment of the costs/benefits involved.

As the Deputy is aware, the Government and the Northern Ireland Executive, recently announced our support for the preparation of a joint bid for the Rugby World Cup by the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU).  The IRFU, with support of both Governments, has commenced work on compiling the bid.  An Overview Group will be appointed in the near future to oversee progress and guide the bid preparation.