Terry Brennan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Leo Varadkar, and the Minister of State at the Department, Deputy Michael Ring, confirmed recently that Hugo McNeill, an ex-Ireland rugby international, had agreed to chair the working group established in conjunction with their Northern colleagues, Minister Arlene Foster and Carál Ní Chuilín. The Rugby World Cup working group will comprise representatives from North and South, Departments, agencies and other key bodies. It will examine some key issues to assist the two Governments in their decision on whether to set out a roadmap for a potential bid and will report later in the summer. I wish those involved well in their deliberations. What a boost it would be for Irish rugby and all-Ireland tourism interests if we were to decide to bid, and be successful, to hold the Rugby World Cup on the island of Ireland in the near future.

I wish to call, too, for an urgent debate with the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Pat Rabbitte, on the future of post offices, particularly in rural areas. Many post offices are in fear of being closed down. I am deeply concerned and would like to hear the Minister's future proposals for the post office network.