Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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I was delighted when UEFA confirmed last Tuesday, 10 October, that Ireland will jointly host the UEFA EURO 2028 Championships with the UK and this presents a wonderful opportunity to showcase Ireland and our world-class tourism offering to Europe and the wider world. The award of the tournament to Ireland and the UK rewards the intensive North-South and East West co-operation in the preparation and presentation of the bid.

It will be the largest sporting event Ireland and the UK has ever jointly staged and the largest single international sporting event held in Ireland.

An economic impact study was conducted on the value of the tournament. Taking into account that Ireland may host six games, in Dublin, it is estimated that the tournament should realise a discounted Gross Value Added (GVA) for Ireland of €189 million in 2022 prices. When benefits that accrue in subsequent years are taken into account the benefit is estimated to rise to a value of €241 million. Allowing for costs of approximately €65.6 million in 2022 prices this will yield a significant return on investment to the State.

The business case for the event, undertaken under the public spending code, found that while there are current pressures on the tourism industry in Ireland generally which arise largely from the war in Ukraine, It is not possible to predict what challenges the world’s economy will face between now and 2028 nor is it possible to predict how these might affect the tourism accommodation sector in Dublin and its environs.

While this is an aspect of the requirements of the tournament that will require careful monitoring, Dublin, as a European capital city, offers the capacity, type and range of hotels required for any major international sporting event. Coupled with first class training facilities, Ireland can provide players, officials, sponsors, VIPs and fans alike with the best facilities possible.

Fáilte Ireland is currently working on Accommodation Audits to establish a baseline on existing capacity across the country and to provide gap analysis in each destination and region. As part of the roll-out of all Destination Experience Development Plans, Fáilte Ireland will audit and map out current accommodation stock. This will include a quality and gap analysis (if any) for additional accommodation development on a county-by-county basis.

Fáilte Ireland will use these audits to inform Local Authorities as they shape their own tourism accommodation strategies. Officials from my Department are also developing policy in regard to determining future accommodation needs in the Tourism sector.