Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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33. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if consideration will be given to extending an invitation to the organisers of the Tour de France (details supplied) for future stages of the race to be held along the Wild Atlantic Way. [25971/20]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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Major Events have the potential to drive participation in sport. They can also contribute to trade, tourism, business, community pride, community engagement and our ongoing economic growth. Such events can also drive a sense of national pride and affect both how we see ourselves as a nation and how we are viewed internationally.

In the past five years Ireland has won the bid to host Ryder Cup 2026, EURO 2020 and the Women’s Rugby World Cup and engaged in a bid for Rugby World Cup 2023.

Ireland's elite cyclists have represented us well this year not least of which of course was Sam Bennett's impressive stage wins at the Tour de France and his success in winning the green jersey. The Government through Sport Ireland continue to support the national governing bodies for sport in Ireland, promoting elite athletes and encouraging participation.

In regard to future events, the Programme for Government contains a commitment to develop a policy and a strategy for bidding and hosting Major Events and an assessment model for State financial support for such events.  Decisions to bid for any future major events, such as the Tour de France, will be made in the context of this events policy.