The Taoiseach has pledged to build a legacy from the Olympics Games in Paris, after Team Ireland broke its medal record.
A total 133 athletes who competed for Ireland, with 64 women and 69 men competing across 14 sports, winning seven medals in total.
Four gold medals were won across various events at the Paris games.
Daniel Wiffen, 23, won gold in the men’s 800 metres final and also took a bronze in the men’s 1500 metres final.
Statement by President Michael D. Higgins following conclusion of Paris 2024 Olympic Games https://t.co/vv7otPIimA
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Rhys McClenaghan, 25 and from Co Down, won gold in the pommel horse final, in what he called his “redemption story”.
Three athletes retained their Olympic titles from the Tokyo games: Skibbereen rowers Paul O’Donovan and Fintan McCarthy in the men’s lightweight double sculls; and Dubliner Kellie Harrington in the women’s 60kg boxing event.
Mona McSharry, from Co Sligo, won a bronze medal in the 100 metre breaststroke, while rowers Philip Doyle and Daire Lynch also won bronze.
Simon Harris said the past two weeks has been the “most incredible” time in Irish sport.
“As the Olympic games come to an end, I want to congratulate each and every one of the 133 members of Team Ireland. I had the absolute honour of being with them at the start of the Olympics games in Paris,” Mr Harris said on Sunday.
“They are the very best of us, they have brought huge pride and huge inspiration to our country and of course we have seen the most successfully Olympic games from an Irish team, ever.
“The largest number of medals ever, the largest number of gold medals ever, and also a number of firsts.
“I want to congratulate everybody.
“We are seeing the benefit of extra investment in sport.
“We are already seeing that pay off and we have made three significant announcements in terms of funding for sport in the last number of weeks.”
He made the comments as the Government announced a €400 million additional investment in sport.
“We have decided to have the largest ever sports capital fund, which will be money given to clubs, big and small, right across Ireland next month,” Mr Harris added.
“We have given the go ahead for the badminton court development at our national stadium.
“Let me be really clear, there has to be a legacy from the Paris games.
“There has to be further investment in sport and I am determined that we lift the scale of our ambition when it comes to backing sport, backing athletes and in particularly investing more in terms of our elite performance training as well.”
It comes as the athletes are set to take part in a celebratory homecoming in Dublin city on Monday to mark Ireland’s most successful Olympic Games ever.
Dublin City Council is organising an event in front of the GPO on Dublin’s O’Connell Street to celebrate their success.
Tánaiste Micheál Martin said: “To be an Olympian in itself is an incredible achievement and for all of our athletes this has meant years and years of training and commitment.
“For Government, our objective is to continue investing in sport and facilities across the country. This year, up to €400 million will be announced in terms of additional investment for sport.
“These Olympics were significant in terms of the breadth and depth of sports represented and successful in gymnastics, to women’s athletics to rowing and the boxing.
“It’s been a phenomenal success.”
President Michael D Higgins said the Olympians have represented Ireland with “distinction”.
“Each of our record-setting medallists has brought enormous joy to all those watching across our island and beyond and has been a source of encouragement.
“All those who achieved so much by qualifying and competing to such a high standard have made Irish people everywhere so immensely proud.
“The Olympics has been the culmination of four years, indeed a lifetime, of hard work and dedicated training by our athletes and I extend my admiration and appreciation to all those who have competed and given their all across so many sporting disciplines, including personal bests, national records and an Olympic record.
“In every aspect there has been real achievement.”
He said that Irish people’s love of sport has been moved on to a whole new level by the Paris games.
Mr Higgins said he looks forward to welcoming the Olympians at an event at Aras an Uachtarain.
Minister for Sport and Physical Education Thomas Byrne said: “Each and every one of them gave it their all and we can ask no more of them.
“It’s a lesson in life for all of us in whatever profession we are in, to take example from them and give what you do your all because our athletes did that.
“Some of the nights in Paris was reminiscent of being in the vicinity of Croke Park on all-Ireland day.
“The Irish fans were superb.”
