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Seanad Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 11 Jul 2017

Vol. 252 No. 13

Rugby World Cup 2023 Bill 2017: Committee and Remaining Stages

Sections 1 to 9, inclusive, agreed to.
TITLE
Question proposed: "That the Title be the Title to the Bill."

Before we proceed to the next Stage, I wish to ask the Minister about a newspaper report published last weekend which stated that if Rugby World Cup Limited makes profits from the world cup, those profits will be tax free and that will be allowed by this Bill. Is that correct?

At this Stage we are just dealing with the Bill reported without amendments-----

But is it within the Bill-----

I will bring the Senator in shortly.

Question put and agreed to.
Bill reported without amendment and received for final consideration.
Question proposed: "That the Bill do now pass."

I now call on Senators Humphreys and Ó Donnaghaile and will then allow the Minister to respond.

I wish to address two brief points that have arisen during the course of contributions of Members. In relation to the stadia redevelopment projects in the North and in reference to the access issues that Senator Grace O'Sullivan and others touched on, a legacy project was put in place in terms of utilising some of the capital. I understand there may not be capital involved in this particular bid but the work and the aspiration involved in ensuring a legacy for this bid, if successful, would be very important in order that it is not a flash in the pan. If successful, it has the potential to be transformative and very positive but it should not be confined to one event or one year. We should consider how to create a lasting legacy and encourage people to participate in rugby and other sports, and use this as an avenue to do so.

On the issue of free-to-air broadcasting, there is a strange anomaly which runs contrary to the all-Ireland nature of this Bill. I shared Senator Ó Ríordáin's disappointment in relation to the game at the weekend but Ireland international soccer matches, rugby matches and some boxing at the Olympics were blocked to viewers in the North, as happens regularly, via satellite subscribers and providers. It is a very complex licensing issue but it prohibits many sports fans being able to watch sporting events because in Northern Ireland RTE can only be obtained through a satellite subscription. If people do not have that as part of their package, they are not able to see even games that may be free to air. It is a fairly complex anomaly. It gets on everybody's goat, no matter who they are or where they are from. People will be so frustrated if they are not able to watch the Rugby World Cup that there would probably be the first ever cross-community protest. I am throwing this issue at the Minister but I hope to engage further with him and his officials and wanted to draw it to his attention.

I want to move on to item 2 but I will let the Minister back in. Senator Humphreys-----

I heard the Minister but I wish to make one other point-----

Senator Humphreys made his point and then Senator Ó Donnaghaile made his. It is not a to and fro at this stage. The Senator made his contribution.

I have an additional point to make. It will take 30 seconds. It ties back to the Minister's earlier contribution. I will take part in the joint protest mentioned by Senator Ó Donnaghaile if it happens. Cities and towns being involved in this is a key issue. We will have to work with local authorities to ensure that the cities and towns in which matches will take place are at their very best. If the bid is successful, the Minister should take the next step and start to develop working groups across the country to ensure that cities and towns are ready for the event.

The Minister has responsibility for tourism as well as sport.

I will revert back to Senator Ó Donnaghaile in regard to the anomaly which he mentioned.

Down the line. I understand. The rugby fraternity would be raging if I did not raise the issue when I had the chance.

That is fair enough.

Where is Senator Ó Donnaghaile's principle?

In terms of the legacy issue, I take the Senator's point that this should not be a once-off flash in the pan. The tournament budget provides for investment in approximately 40 training facilities across the country for visiting teams. Many of these facilities will be in existing rugby and other sports clubs, which will leave a legacy of improved facilities for all those clubs. The tournament budget will also provide for a legacy programme for the development of the sport. Although some temporary facilities will be put into host stadia, permanent facilities such as floodlights will leave a positive legacy for those stadia. There will also be a legacy of long-term benefit for tourism through the country's raised profile and also the prospect of repeat visits. In some ways, the legacy is intangible but it will hopefully be very real. I would also join the joint protest. It would be my first time to march with Sinn Féin.

The Minister would be very welcome. We would take a traditional route.

In regard to the important question posed by Senator Humphreys, I do not know whether he is discussing the tournament company or the Rugby World Cup-----

The tournament company.

-----but I will clarify both. Rugby World Cup is registered in the Isle of Man. I will leave its tax status to the Senator's imagination but it is its own business, not that of Members. The tournament company in which the Government would be a shareholder has not yet been set up. That will be done shortly. Its tax status has not been established.

Question put and agreed to.
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