Noel Rock (Dublin North West, Fine Gael)
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615. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if discussions were held between his Department and the FAI regarding the possibility of bidding for the extra games in Euro 2020 after Brussels lost the right to host matches for the tournament; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53523/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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In partnership with the FAI and Dublin City Council, my Department continues to actively support the planning to host three group games and one second round game as part of the the EURO 2020 Championships in Dublin in June 2020.

In regard to the recent re-allocation of the EURO 2020 matches originally awarded to Brussels, it is my understanding that the FAI was not in a position to bid for these games.  The decision to re-allocate the Brussels matches was taken by UEFA's Executive Committee and the cities considered were either not allocated games in the original bid process i.e. Stockholm and Cardiff or were existing host cities not already staging group games i.e. London.  Cities already hosting group games, including Dublin, were not invited to submit an application.  Accordingly, no discussions regarding bidding for these games were held between the Department and the FAI.