Commenting on the launch of the RWC bid, 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's Policy and Member Relations Manager for Northern Ireland, Seamus Leheny, said: "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."
