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Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport Leo Varadkar and Minister of State for Tourism & Sport Michael Ring have welcomed approval by delegates at the GAA Congress of a motion to allow Croke Park and other GAA stadiums to be made available if Ireland hosts the Rugby World Cup in 2023 or 2027.

"The support of the GAA is a very important element in relation to any future bid by the IRFU to host the Rugby World Cup in Ireland. I am very pleased that Congress has approved this motion to allow the inclusion of Croke Park and other GAA stadiums in the list of venues for matches if Ireland is selected to host the tournament. This spirit of support and co-operation between the two sporting organisations is very welcome and I'm delighted by the decision," Minister Varadkar said.

Minister Ring expressed his support for the preparation of a bid by the IRFU and said: ‘The approval of the motion by Congress is good news for the IRFU in their ongoing considerations regarding submitting a bid to host the Rugby World Cup in Ireland. If the tournament is hosted in Ireland, it will be wonderful to see games being played at Croke Park and other GAA stadiums around the country’.