Rugby World Cup bid
Deputy Michael Healy-Rae welcomed Government support for the 2023 Rugby World Cup bid and asked that every effort be made to secure it, with Killarney as a possible venue. The Taoiseach said the Government fully supported the joint island-of-Ireland bid and would do everything possible to ensure Ireland hosted the event.
No. 47 in the programme for Government sets out an ambitious tourism goal with regard to increasing the number of visitors to this country. That would be greatly helped if the bid for the 2023 Rugby World Cup is successful. I compliment the Taoiseach and the Government on getting fully behind the bid.
Comment on this
The question is whether every effort possible is being made to ensure the bid will be successful because it would be of enormous benefit to the country, and to County Kerry and Killarney, the capital of tourism.
Comment on this
What about Tipperary? Where Tipperary leads, Ireland follows - Semple Stadium.
Comment on this
This will be a very challenging situation, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle. The Government fully supports the joint bid for the island of Ireland, as does the Northern Ireland Executive and the British Government. We will do everything we can to ensure that next year the decision is made by those who have the casting votes on the issue in order that Ireland will host the Rugby World Cup in 2023.