Written answers

Tuesday, 6 November 2018

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Sports Events

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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913. 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. [45352/18]

Photo of Shane RossShane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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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 work of the tourism agencies and the national governing bodies of sport to attract international events, subject, of course, to an assessment of the costs and benefits involved in any State financial support, in particular the number of overseas visitors. 

Fáilte Ireland provides financial assistance, subject to eligibility criteria, to applicants who are proposing to bid to host international events (including sporting events) in Ireland that would attract significant numbers of international visitors.  When an event with international tourism appeal is confirmed for Ireland, Tourism Ireland would then promote it in relevant markets overseas. 

In terms of forthcoming sporting events, Ireland will host four games as part of the UEFA EURO 2020 football tournament in June 2020 - three group games and one round of 16 game.  The bid to host was a collaborative effort between the Football Association of Ireland, Dublin City Council and my Department.  Depending on qualification, up to 160,000 overseas visitors may attend Euro 2020 matches in Dublin.  Ireland will also host the UEFA European Under 17 Championships in 2019.

Minister Ross and I also support efforts to explore possibilities for potentially hosting other major sporting events.  With regard to soccer, we welcomed last week's announcement by the FAI and IFA of their intention to submit a joint bid to host the UEFA European Under 21 Championships in 2023.  While it is very early days, we are also fully supportive of a potential joint British-Irish bid for the 2030 FIFA World Cup.  In this regard, my Department will support the FAI and our partners in the UK and Northern Ireland for the feasibility study and we will fully examine the potential of being part of such a bid. 

In the sport of golf, Minister Ross and Department officials from the Department met in September with representatives of the European Tour at the Ryder Cup in Paris to discuss the possible hosting of a future Ryder Cup in Ireland.  My officials have since had further discussions with the European Tour in this regard and further meetings are planned.

As regards any further events being considered for possible agency support, I have asked Fáilte Ireland to reply directly to the Deputy in this regard.  Please contact my private office if you have not received a reply within ten working days.

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