Eoghan Murphy (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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580. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the Government is involved in a bid for the Women's Rugby World Cup in 2017; and if he will provide an update on the bid for the Men's Rugby World Cup in 2023. [10204/15]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I am delighted that the IRFU has submitted a bid to host the Women's Rugby World Cup in 2017. The bid is a matter for the IRFU and the Government is not involved in the bid. However, my colleague, the Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Deputy Michael Ring, wrote to the IRFU in recent weeks expressing his support and the full support of my Department and agencies for the bid.  

  Following on from the report of the working group set up to examine key issues in relation to the possibility of Ireland hosting the Rugby World Cup in 2023, the Government and the Northern Ireland Executive announced their support on 5th December last for the preparation of a joint bid for the Rugby World Cup by the IRFU. 

Since then, the bid group working in the IRFU has commenced work on compiling the bid, with the support of the two administrations and their agencies. An Overview Group will be appointed to oversee progress on the bid and guide the bid preparation.  I hope to be in a position to announce the details of the group in the near future.