Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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857. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he continues to have discussions with the major sporting organisations with a view to encourage the use of this country as an international venue for sporting events; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22809/16]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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​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.

Accordingly, I am supportive of the ongoing efforts of the 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, in particular the number of overseas visitors.

The Government assisted the IRFU in its successful bid to host the Women's Rugby World Cup in 2017 and, as the Deputy is aware, the Government and the Northern Ireland Executive is supporting the preparation of a joint bid for the Rugby World Cup in 2023. The bid has the full support of both Governments and we will be working very closely with the IRFU to ensure that the best possible bid is lodged with World Rugby to bring the Rugby World Cup to Ireland in 2023. The Government also supported the FAI in its successful bid to host four games as part the UEFA Euro 2020 football championship.

Our tourism and sporting infrastructure are amongst the finest in Europe and are well capable of providing the modern facilities required by participants and spectators alike. We will continue to look for opportunities to both grow tourism and develop sport in Ireland by hosting major events with real overseas revenue-generating potential.