Attorney General’s U-turn leads to rushed bill on Rugby World Cup

Emergency legislation to underwrite the costs of the Rugby World Cup was rushed through the Dáil last night because of a U-turn by the Attorney General.

Former Attorney General Máire Whelan advised the Government in February that legislation would not be required to allow the State to underwrite to €320-340 million costs of the 2023 World Cup.

However, Ms Whelan changed her mind in early May and advised that legislation would be required, prompting officials to draft a bill that was presented to the Dáil by Sport Minister Shane Ross last night.

Mr Ross told TDs that the Attorney General’s office had advised “that express statutory authority through the passing of primary legislation is necessary for a Minister to provide capital support to a tournament company and to provide the necessary guarantees and underwrites to Rugby World Cup Limited”.

He added: “This is based on the judgment of the Attorney General that there is no specific statutory power for the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to expend money or give guarantees directly on a unique major sporting event such as the Rugby World Cup.

“Therefore, for the avoidance of doubt, the advice is that express statutory authority is required. This statutory authority must be in place before the Minister signs the guarantees. This means the Bill has to become law before 31 July.”