The news of the IRFU formal application to host the Rugby World Cup (RWC) 2023 in Ireland has been welcomed by FTA representatives in the north and south of Ireland, saying that “the benefits to the economies of such a prestigious event being held in Ireland are vital.”
Commenting on the launch of the RWC bid which was held today in Armagh, Neil McDonnell, FTA Ireland’s General Manager, said:
“Attracting such a high profile international event as the Rugby World Cup would provide a welcome opportunity to stimulate Ireland’s economy, and the necessary infrastructure is already in place to make it a highly successful event. Only the FIFA World Cup and the Olympics are larger spectator events and the benefits of such a global event being held here could bring to our economies are enormous.”
FTA and FTA Ireland previously voiced their support for the bid to hold the RWC in Ireland and backed the bid for the Championship when it was first announced in February 2014, as the freight and passenger sectors have a keen interest in bringing this event to Ireland’s shores in 2023.
FTA’s Policy and Member Relations Manager for Northern Ireland, Seamus Leheny, commented:
“FTA welcomes the establishing of the cross-border working group that will plan and prepare Ireland’s bid to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Speaking on behalf of passenger and freight carriers north and south of the border, FTA will do everything it can to assist the group in establishing Ireland’s credentials for RWC 2023. Ireland has the pitch and stadium infrastructure, the hospitality capacity and the transport networks in place to ensure a really successful and memorable World Cup.”