Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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231. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the bid for the Rugby World Cup was weaker than other bids due to the lack of broadband infrastructure; if broadband access was discussed at any point; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47444/17]

Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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232. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the bid for the Rugby World Cup bid was weaker due to the lack of delivery of the N20; if this road infrastructure or other infrastructure weaknesses were discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47445/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 231 and 232 together.

I was disappointed and surprised by the recent findings of the Rugby World Cup Board which has made a recommendation for previous hosts South Africa to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup. That said, while all candidates had relative strengths and weaknesses that were subject to comment within the report, it is very clear that Rugby World Cup Limited (RWCL) was hugely impressed by the quality of the bid put forward on behalf of Ireland.

Ireland scored top / joint top in 12 of the 21 scored categories, second in two and in all cases met or exceeded RWCL requirements. Ireland's bid included proposals for Transport and Information Technology and while there was some comment about the lack of current provision, the plans for delivery of the tournament ensured that Ireland met or exceeded the requirements for hosting a successful Rugby World Cup. 

In that regard, I was pleased to see that the Evaluation Report acknowledged the quality of Ireland’s plans, and our ability to stage a successful event in 2023, stating as it does ‘any of the three candidates could host a successful Rugby World Cup’.

I would hope that a majority of World Rugby Council members, who will vote on November 15th, will place their trust in Ireland to deliver an outstanding Rugby World Cup 2023. Appropriate engagement with various Rugby Unions will continue over the coming days ahead of the concluding vote.

Together with the Irish Rugby Football Union the Government will, in the coming week, strongly relay Ireland’s compelling proposition to World Rugby Council members  ahead of the vote on November 15^thas the team competes to turn our historic bid plans into reality.