Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 December 2016
33. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his proposals to use the medium of sport to project a positive national image, promote tourism and generate renewed economic activity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38860/16]
View answerThis question seeks to ascertain the extent to which the Minister of State hopes to capitalise on sport as a medium for generating beneficial focus and enthusiasm in the nation economically, socially and politically.
I thank Deputy Durkan for his question. The hosting of major sports events, both participative and spectator, can be a great showcase for Ireland and drive international visitor numbers. In addition, the media coverage of sports events helps to put Ireland on travel itineraries as a holiday destination.
Accordingly, I am supportive of the ongoing efforts of the tourism agencies, specifically Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland, and the national governing bodies of sport to attract international events, subject to an assessment of the costs and benefits involved in any State financial support, and overseas visitors.
The Government has assisted the IRFU in its successful bid to host the Women's Rugby World Cup, which will take place in 2017. The Government has also supported the FAI in its successful bid to host four games as part of the UEFA Euro 2020 football championship and the Government and the Northern Ireland Executive are supporting the IRFU in its preparation of a bid to host the Rugby World Cup in 2023. Ireland has successfully passed the applicant phase of that process and is through to the candidate phase. The Northern and Southern Governments will be working closely with the IRFU to ensure that the best possible bid is lodged with World Rugby next June. A final decision will be made by World Rugby in November 2017.
A number of other international sports events hosted in Ireland in 2016 have been supported by the Event Ireland division of Fáilte Ireland, such as the World Masters Fly Fishing Championships, the World Karate Championships, the World Archery Field Championships, the World Boat Angling Championships, the FEI European Jumping Championship for juniors, the modern pentathlon Youth A World Championships, the World Rugby Women's Sevens Olympic Repechage, the World Junior and Cadet Kickboxing Championships and the World Shore Angling Championships. In that light, the Deputy will see that the Department and Fáilte Ireland have made a considerable commitment to the sector's development.
I thank the Minister of State for a comprehensive reply. To what extent do he and his Department make contact with various international bodies in order to ensure that this country remains a viable option for all such events in future? To what extent can he indicate what is likely to happen in that regard next year and subsequently?
Event Ireland has its ear to the ground as regards potential future events that are of interest to Ireland Inc. I am satisfied with its interactions and with my dealings in the Department with the national governing bodies of sport, be they the paralympic movement hoping to host events or any of the other major and smaller bodies. They are all prepared to put their heads above the parapet. They receive State support through Sport Ireland in respect of their basic ongoing needs.
Fáilte Ireland is examining this matter because sports tourism is a multibillion euro industry globally. The events that have already been scheduled to take place - UEFA's Euro 2020 and the Women's Rugby World Cup - and the others that we hope to acquire, for example, the men's Rugby World Cup, are of major significance to the whole island of Ireland. Our Department will continue working with Event Ireland. If people have specific suggestions, we will take them on board.
To what extent are there opportunities for the promotion by way of global publicity campaigns of Ireland's attractive locations of historical and architectural significance, the capacities of available sporting facilities and the latter's ability to do justice to any sporting event? How will those opportunities develop in future?
One of the best examples of what Deputy Durkan is referring to is the video that was launched as part of Ireland's Rugby World Cup bid for 2023. It shows the four provinces, North and South of the Border, in a fantastic light. Apart from the bid offering and its importance, any discerning visitor would watch the video and want to visit this place. A large part of Tourism Ireland's marketing programmes in its major markets - Britain, North America and northern Europe - is sports tourism. The associated imagery, in particular of our indigenous games of hurling and Gaelic football, cannot be underestimated. Croke Park and the provincial locations, for example, Newbridge in the Deputy's part of the world and Donegal, which is the Leas-Cheann Comhairle's part of the world, are visitor attractions, as are the interprovincial contests of our national games. Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland are conscious of using that imagery in advertising Ireland in a good light. The Department will continue to support that work.
I thank the Minister of State.
I seek the agreement of the House. I did not notice Deputy Bailey entering the Chamber. She was trying to attract my attention. There will be a penalty if the House agrees, in that there will only be one supplementary question. Is that agreed? Agreed.
