Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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UEFA announced on Tuesday 10 October 2023 that Ireland will jointly host the UEFA EURO 2028 Championship with the UK. This tournament presents a wonderful opportunity to showcase Ireland and our world-class tourism and sport offerings 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, planning 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 six games may be hosted 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 budget, which includes items such as security, local authority, transport and some stadium costs, will be kept under review, and all costs will be monitored, controlled and appropriately scrutinised throughout delivery to ensure value for money.

The State's investment in the Championship will be spread across a number of Departments and Agencies, with the bulk of the funding requirement falling due in 2027 and 2028. The key partners in this regard will be the Department of Justice (with regard to policing and security costs), Dublin City Council (fanzone sites, dressing and other infrastructure), the Department of Transport and my own Department.

All costs arising will be addressed as part of the normal Estimates processes in the years leading up to the event.

The close and positive co-operation between all five jurisdictions was crucial in allowing all the bid partners to jointly support the submission of the bid. Now that the championships have been awarded to Ireland and the UK engagement between the jurisdictions is continuing. The partnership has commenced developing the governance structures required and preparations are underway for hosting a successful championships in 2028.

My Department will continue to work closely with the Football Association of Ireland, Dublin City Council and other Government Departments and agencies as well as with our UK partners as plans are developed.

Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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The Government continues to support the hosting of major sports events in Ireland and to explore further hosting opportunities.

This is evidenced by the Government’s support for events such as the US College Football Classic every August from 2022 – 2026, the hosting of the UEFA Europa League Final in 2024, the Ryder Cup in 2027 in Limerick and the EURO 2028 football championships.

In line with the commitment in the Programme for Government, a Major International Sports Events Policy is currently being developed by my Department. The aim is to establish whether and how Government should support major international sports events, the benefits it should seek to derive from them, the supports it could offer and the kind of events it should prioritise for support. This will provide the basis for the development of a strategy to support and attract major international sports events and for an assessment model based on the identified priorities.

As part of this policy development, focused consultations with key stakeholders have been held and a public consultation has been completed. My Department has undertaken research, including consideration of the policies and strategies in place in other countries.

A draft high level policy paper is currently the subject of consultation with other Government Departments and it is intended to submit a refined policy to Government in the coming period. The policy and strategy will inform the approach to bidding for major sports events in the future.