Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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714. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of efforts related to the 2023 Rugby World Cup for Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45921/15]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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On 5 December 2014 the Taoiseach, Tánaiste, the First Minister and Deputy First Minister announced their joint support for the IRFU's bid to host Rugby World Cup 2023.

The process of assembling a Bid Team and procuring advisors for key areas of expertise started shortly afterwards and that team is now in place and compiling the bid.  In that regard, the compilation of the bid will require extensive Government involvement and support and the Bid Team are engaging with administrations in both jurisdictions in this regard.  Inter-Department/Agency Groups have also been set up in both jurisdictions to help co-ordinate this engagement.  Initial work has also taken place on branding for the bid and the scoping of potential venues.

An Oversight Board was also appointed by both Governments last May to oversee the bid process and give strategic direction.  Dick Spring, former Tánaiste and Irish rugby international, was appointed as Chair of the Bid Oversight Board, and Dr David Dobbin, Group Chief Executive, Dale Farm was appointed as Vice-Chair.  The Bid Ambassador is former Ireland rugby captain, Brian O'Driscoll.  The remaining members include representatives of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and the Department of Enterprise Trade and Investment in Northern Ireland, the IRFU and the GAA as well a number of prominent business people.  The next meeting of the Oversight Board is in January 2016 in Belfast.

World Rugby will open the bidding process for the 2023 RWC in May 2016 with the final decision regarding the winning bidder will be taken in November 2017. It is a very competitive process with South Africa, France and Italy also expected to bid.