Noel Rock (Dublin North West, Fine Gael)
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1563. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he or officials of his Department have held any discussions on hosting NFL American football games in Dublin in 2017 or beyond; if not, his plans to do so (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41601/16]

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 and drive international visitor numbers.  In addition, the media coverage of sports events helps to put Ireland onto travel itineraries as a holiday destination.

I am very 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.  

For example, the Government assisted the IRFU in its successful bid to host the Women's Rugby World Cup later this year. The Government also supported the FAI in its successful bid to host four games of the UEFA Euro 2020 football championship and the Government and the Northern Ireland Executive are supporting the IRFU in its preparation of a bid to host the Rugby World Cup in 2023.  

I am aware of the regular NFL season games in London but I have not been approached about holding NFL games in Ireland.  I know Croke Park bid to host these games before but the NFL chose London.  It is primarily a matter for the NFL if it wants to stage more games overseas and if it was possible to attract such a game to Ireland, and it was appropriate from cost/benefit perspective, then I would be positively disposed to support efforts to bring it about.