Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

321. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 27 of 11 October 2017, the safeguards, protections and considerations that have been built in as part of Ireland's bid for the hosting of the Rugby World Cup in 2023 in the context of Brexit; if there have been discussions at European level regarding same; the way in which north-south cohesion will be maintained post-Brexit in the event the island of Ireland is the host venue for the tournament; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44595/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Government's contingency work on Brexit is examining all scenarios and, in that regard, it should be noted that tournaments have taken place across more than one country in the past, and will do so again in the future, e.g., Switzerland and Austria co-hosted EURO 2008, and similarly EURO 2012 was co-hosted by Poland and Ukraine. Accordingly, I am confident that Brexit will not affect the operation of the tournament.

If the island of Ireland is successful in its bid, then the close co-operation between both administrations that has been a core part of the bid will continue in place to deliver the tournament. In that regard, the Deputy may have noted the support of UK Prime Minister for the bid.

Furthermore, while the eventual shape of the United Kingdom's exit from the European Union is not known at this stage, both the United Kingdom and Ireland Governments have made clear their desire to maintain the Common Travel Area and achieving this objective is a priority of the ongoing Article 50 negotiations between the EU and the UK.