Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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27. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there is a cap on the amount of funding that can be provided in financial support in respect of the Rugby World Cup 2023 tournament budget; if an advance of funds, including loans to a tournament company for the purposes of staging the tournament have a ceiling limit; the way in which support to a person in respect of a proposal by that person to purchase commercial rights will be handled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42158/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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As part of Ireland's bid to host the Rugby World Cup and, in keeping with the Rugby World Cup 2023 Act, I, with the consent of the Minister for Finance and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, have provided an underwrite for the tournament budget. This underwrite is capped.

In regard to the potential provision of loans to a tournament company, these loans, if they are required, would be for cash flow purposes, would be repayable to the Minister and, in the event that they were not repaid, would be limited by cap on the tournament budget underwrite.

Again with the consent of the Minister for Finance and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and as set out in Section 3 of the Act, I have also provided a guarantee, subject to a cap, in respect of the purchase of certain commercial rights for the tournament.

These commitments form part of a very comprehensive, competitive and compelling all-island bid which I believe gives Ireland every chance of being awarded the right to host the tournament in 2023.