Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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254. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he continues to liaise with the various national and international sporting organisations with a view to hosting major events here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22385/17]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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255. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to promote international awareness of the potential for the holding of major sporting and other events here with the consequent social and economic benefits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22386/17]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 254 and 255 together.

The hosting of major sports events, both participative and spectator sports, can provide great opportunities to showcase 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.

Accordingly, 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 which will take place in August 2017. The Government also supported the FAI in its successful bid to host four games as part 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.

A number of international sports events are due to be hosted in Ireland in 2017 with the support of Government. They include the International Taekwon-Do World Championships, the European Senior Bowling Championships, the Youth World Coarse Fishing Championships and the Junior Touch Championships.

Fáilte Ireland provides financial assistance, subject to eligibility criteria, to applicants who are proposing to bid to host international sporting, cultural and other events in Ireland which will attract significant numbers of international visitors.

Once an event with international tourism appeal is confirmed for Ireland, Tourism Ireland will promote it in relevant markets overseas. Tourism Ireland has highlighted events of all kinds, from the Irish Open Golf Tournament, the Giro d'Italia, the Ryder Cup, the Volvo Ocean Race, and the World Police and Fire Games (in Northern Ireland), to Ireland's Rugby World Cup Bid.