Ireland Sports Minister Shane Ross Defends 2023 Rugby World Cup Bid

Ireland Sports Minister Shane Ross defended the Irish government's decision to "underwrite the tournament fee and basic budget for Ireland's campaign to host the Rugby World Cup" in '23, according to Niamh Lyons of the LONDON TIMES. Controversy "erupted" over the €320M ($365.5M) bill after Irish Green Party leader Eamon Ryan "claimed no risk analysis had been carried out." Ryan said, "We should not commit €320 million of public money without any proper analysis as to where it's going, what the risks are and what the potential benefits are." Emergency legislation, "set to be passed before the summer recess," came before the Dáil on Wednesday. Ross said, "This is the most energizing piece of legislation I have introduced to this House." Ireland faces "stiff competition from France and South Africa in its attempt to secure the tournament" (LONDON TIMES, 7/6).