Kevin O'Keeffe (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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276. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department will have the capacity to commit to any infrastructure or facility demands that may arise from the IRFU World Cup hosting bid in 2023. [39157/16]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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Ireland has the capacity required to deliver a highly successful RWC.  We have an ideal mix of stadia across the country right in the hearts of our cities and towns.  Five of these stadia have hosted international rugby before, and Croke Park is Europe's third largest stadium. 

Some investment will be required, but the two new 'builds' in Casement Park and Pairc Ui Chaoimh  are happening irrespective of whether or not the Rugby World Cup is coming to Ireland.  Beyond that, a budget for temporary facilities has been allocated from the tournament budget to cover potential upgrades required.  As we are in a competitive situation this figure is not publicly available, but this investment is budgeted already in the tournament staging costs.

As part of the bid, both Governments will have to guarantee the payment of the tournament fee of £120m.  In addition, the Governments are expected to provide an underwriting guarantee for the tournament operational costs.  However, in all previous Rugby World Cups ticketing revenues for the tournament have exceeded the operational costs and accordingly it is not anticipated that the underwriting guarantee would translate into a cost to the Governments.  The Governments would also have the option to take out appropriate insurance to cover any unforeseen events that would impact on the tournament.

In the event that the all-island bid is successful, Governments would split their support in a manner that would reflect the relative benefits of hosting the Rugby World Cup. In relation to transport infrastructure, I am confident that access to all the stadia would be well facilitated and a transport plan for spectators utilising rail, road and bus networks, with assistance where required from both Gardaí and the Police Service of Northern Ireland, would be put in place.