‘Lack of vision’ by Government could scuttle America’s Cup bid

Another senior minister said that while the bid had been championed by Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney since January, the Cabinet had not been fully aware of where the process was at

Advocates of the America’s Cup bid say the prospect of scenes like the Sovereign’s Cup race off the Old Head of Kinsale in June — but on a global scale with lucrative spinoff benefits — are now in jeopardy as the Coalition says it needs six months to decide whether Ireland could host the event in 2024. Picture: David Branigan

The government has been accused of a “spectacular lack of ambition and vision” after it put Ireland’s bid to host the prestigious America’s Cup yacht race in doubt.

Just hours after being told that Cork was poised to be named the preferred venue for the 2024 event, the coalition said it needs another six months to analyse the estimated €150m costs associated with hosting the race which it’s estimated could be worth €500m to the economy.