Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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42. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will report on his role and work and that of his Department in Ireland's bid for the Rugby World Cup. [49111/17]

Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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52. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reasons for the failure of the bid to host the Rugby World Cup in 2023; the aspects of the bid that could be improved in future bids to host international sporting competitions (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49286/17]

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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91. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his role in Ireland's bid to host the Rugby World Cup in 2023; and his reasoning as to the unsuccessful nature of this bid. [49432/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 42, 52 and 91 together.

Before I respond to the deputies' questions, I wish to reiterate my congratulations to France on their win. As I have said, I wish them every success as they turn their attention to delivering what I hope will be an outstanding tournament in 2023.

Wednesday's result was disappointing, particularly after the years of work put into the bid. However, in our disappointment, we should not lose sight of the fact that the technical report found that Ireland would be an excellent host country for a Rugby World Cup.

Ireland was up against two previous hosts and in the evaluation report we fell behind them based on the quality of their stadia, many of which are recently built as result of hosting Euro 2016 and the 2010 FIFA World Cup. We presented a different, more sustainable, vision that involved investment in existing stadia to meet tournament standards. Unfortunately, RWCL's (Rugby World Cup Ltd) evaluators did not agree. In any event, ultimately the voters did not support the RWCL recommendation.

We did not win the bid due to not having secured a sufficient number of the votes cast last Wednesday. Unfortunately, that is the nature of the competitive process used. In a competition of this nature there always will be a winner and losers. We will of course learn from this experience and use that learning in any future bids for sporting events, but that does not take away from the excellent work that was done in preparing our bid.

My Department took the lead role in co-ordinating the input of Government Departments and public sector in support of the Bid as well putting in place the legislation and guarantees required by World Rugby. I am satisfied that the Government gave the IRFU all the support that was asked of it in its efforts to secure the Rugby World Cup in 2023.

I would like to particularly thank the IRFU, our colleagues in the Northern Ireland Executive, the members of the RWC 2023 Oversight Board, those who took on ambassadorial roles for the bid, the civil and public services and many State bodies, and the people of Ireland, all of whom have given such incredible support to this bid.