The Northern Irish government has expressed its “commitment” to redeveloping Belfast’s Casement Park stadium in a bid to bring the 2023 Rugby World Cup to Ireland.

Speaking at Ulster’s Kingpan Stadium, first minister Arlene Foster said the Northern Ireland Executive was “committed to providing the necessary support required by the Bid Team to ensure the delivery of a world-class bid”.

A redeveloped Casement Park was at the heart of the bid Northern and Southern Ireland put forward to beat competition from France, Italy and South Africa, however work on the 38,000-capacity Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) venue stalled after planning permission was overturned in December 2014.

But sports minister Caral Ni Chuilin made positive noises about getting the plans back on track. “A redeveloped Casement Park is a programme for government commitment and integral to the bid for 2023,” she said. “I remain committed to ensuring that we deliver on that commitment and I am confident we will do so.”

Foster, on her first sporting engagement since becoming first minister earlier this month, highlighted the nation’s hosting of the Giro d’Italia and the Irish Open Golf Championships as evidence of “significant experience hosting major international sporting events”. Royal Portrush is also due to stage The Open Championship in 2019, while the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) has secured the 2017 Women’s Rugby World Cup.

Deputy first minister Martin McGuinness added that Northern Ireland would be a “hugely attractive destination for rugby supporters” and he was “confident” it would host a successful tournament.

“We must all now go the extra mile to bring this sporting spectacle to Ireland in 2023,” he added.