Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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39. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will report on the government’s support for the Irish bid for the 2023 Rugby World Cup to be held here, including the net possible cost to the exchequer, the cost benefit generally to Irish rugby, Irish sport overall and to the economy. [38658/16]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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I am satisfied that hosting the 2023 Rugby World Cup would deliver significant economic, social and sporting benefits to Ireland.

The direct economic return of hosting the tournament here would be primarily derived from the spending by overseas visitors.  Based on the outcome of the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England, there would be an estimated all-island positive economic impact of €800m based on spending by approximately 450,000 overseas visitors.  That tourism revenue would also lead to very significant tax revenues for the Exchequer.  In addition, there would be many benefits, in terms the profiles of both Ireland and Northern Ireland, given the estimated 6,000 visiting media.  The worldwide cumulative TV audience would be around 4 billion people and countless billions would engage with the event through social media.

Hosting the tournament would also provide a great opportunity to spread matches and training bases across the country, engaging and involving communities and increasing community pride and activation.  There would also be thousands of opportunities for volunteering in what would be an exciting and very positive event that would create significant social capital throughout the island.  The event would also provide an opportunity to increase sports participation particularly among young people with consequent health benefits. Furthermore, hosting the event would involve a close working relationship with the Northern Ireland authorities which would be positive for co-operartion on the island and a legacy for future events.

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.