Vol. 525 No. 5
6 Mr. Quinn asked the Taoiseach the proposals for legislation being prepared under the auspices of his Department where heads have not yet been approved by the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19851/00]
Legislation will be brought forward to establish Campus and Stadium Ireland Development Limited and Digital Media District Limited on a statutory basis.
When is that legislation likely to come forward?
It will certainly be next year. It is only in the early stage of preparation and it will be brought forward by the two Departments I have already mentioned which will take over these matters at the end of this year.
We have a very busy legislative load. The Taoiseach will be aware that the Opposition parties were briefed by the directors of Campus and Stadium Ireland recently and that the whole project depends on an agreement being reached with prospective tenants of the national stadium – that component of the overall campus. Is the Taoiseach saying legislation will be needed for Campus Ireland, irrespective of whether the stadium project goes ahead?
Legislation will be required if the project goes ahead, which it will.
Is it the Taoiseach's Department that is drafting this legislation even though the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation will have responsibility for it?
The preliminary work is started in my Department but it will move between the two Departments.
The Taoiseach has just said the project will go ahead irrespective. At the briefing to which Deputy Quinn referred, my understanding was – perhaps I was wrong – that the project would go ahead only if there was a significant anchor tenant. Is it not the case that today's newspapers report that the rugby authorities have opened discussions with Croke Park about playing there? In those circumstances, who does the Taoiseach believe will be the anchor tenant in the stadium if the project goes ahead?
I have seen the newspaper report and I have also seen the denials.
That is not an answer to the question asked.
(Dublin West): The Taoiseach said he had seen the newspaper report and what else?
I have also seen the denials.
(Dublin West): The Taoiseach would know a lot about those.
So would the Deputy.
(Dublin West): If the Taoiseach and the Government have their way, which may not happen, up to £700 million will be spent on the new stadium. In view of that, would it not be more proper if the legislation envisaged to set up and install Campus and Stadium Ireland was first brought before the Dáil for a full discussion since such a huge amount of taxpayers' money is involved? In regard to what Deputy Rabbitte asked, how near is the Taoiseach to signing up some serious anchor tenants who might begin to make this project look somewhat viable rather than a project which the Taoiseach would like to see built—
Deputy Higgins, this question is about legislation.
I did not answer part of Deputy Rabbitte's question. What I meant was that I believe the anchor tenants and all the main sporting bodies will be there at the end of the day. It will be expensive to undertake the work which is progressing. The project was debated in the Dáil on its commencement. It was debated also on many occasions during questions to me and to the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation.
Arising from the Taoiseach's reply, can I take it that irrespective of whether the stadium project goes ahead – there are questions around that issue and we will know whether it is a viable project by the end of this year or early next year – the remainder of the project, including the swimming pool, sports facilities, headquarters of the various sporting organisations and medical facilities related to that, will go ahead, and that in due course will require legislation which will be promoted, not by the Taoiseach's Department, but by the Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation? Is that a correct understanding of the issue?
That is a perfect understanding.
Why is the legislation being prepared in the Taoiseach's Department if it is to be presented to the Dáil by another Minister?
The preliminary work has just commenced in my Department. As I outlined in this House on five or six occasions, at the outset I co-ordinated the work on both projects. The work is now up and running and, given that both projects have their own development companies and professional staff, they will now go back to their parent Departments.
Who will prepare the heads of the Bill for Cabinet?
The individual Ministers. In relation to this issue, the heads of the Bill have not yet been prepared. The preliminary work only has been carried out in my Department.
The work on the heads of the Bill will be done by Departments other than the Department of the Taoiseach.
Whatever work is already done will be handed on to the Departments which will complete it.
Is the Taoiseach aware that Arsenal Football Club has decided to build a 60,000 seater stadium for £100 million sterling? Will he clarify for the House whether the stadium will proceed irrespective of whether the IRFU or the FAI is the anchor tenant? To secure the acquiescence of Croke Park in playing a major game at the stadium in the event of it proceeding, is it likely the State will be approached for a further substantial injection to Croke Park as part of securing such acquiescence?
The Deputy is wandering from the substance of the question.
No, we stayed in the centre of the pitch.
The stadium would not be built if there were no anchor tenants. At least two organisations have stated their position in relation to the stadium and, I hope, the third one will do so in due course because it would make sense. However, that is a matter for the organisation itself. If there were no anchor tenants, there would be no point building the stadium. I have not been involved in discussions with Croke Park other than in relation to its support for the national stadium. Croke Park is completing its own stadium. I am sure if there are requests for funding for grounds other than Croke Park, these will be made to the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation.
Will the legislation make provision for current funding or subsidies that may be needed to cover losses of the facility?
We will have to await the legislation. The heads of the legislation are not yet drawn up.
Does the Taoiseach anticipate the stadium will require a current subsidy from the taxpayer as well as an initial capital injection?
No. The feasibility study showed that if the stadium had as little as six major sporting events it would break even. Given the success of major international sporting events, the stadium should not be in difficulty, therefore there should be no deficit.
I wish to amplify the question put by Deputy Rabbitte, because I do not think the Taoiseach gave a full response. I am sure the Taoiseach saw press reports at the weekend suggesting that the GAA authorities were considering approaching Government—
The Chair has given a great deal of latitude on this question. The question refers specifically to legislation being prepared in the Taoiseach's Department.
I would be obliged if you would allow me to put the question. The Taoiseach understands the connection between this sup plementary question and the question on the Order Paper.
We are allowed to play the advantage rule.
I suggest that Deputies table questions on these issues.
My supplementary question will allow of a "yes" or "no" answer. Is the Taoiseach aware of any approach to Government in relation to potential—
Deputy McDowell's supplementary question is far removed from the original question, which refers to legislation. I call Deputy Joe Higgins.
The Taoiseach is well aware of the connection between the question I am putting and the question on the Order Paper.
I accept the point you are making, Deputy but it is not reasonable to expect the Chair to allow supplementary questions which bear no relation to the question on the Order Paper.
My question goes to the heart of the viability of the project which is the subject of the legislation.
The question on the Order Paper refers to legislation being prepared under the auspices of the Department of the Taoiseach. The Chair has been far too lax on this question. I call Deputy Joe Higgins.
The Taoiseach has already given some indication of a response to this. I am simply allowing him to give a "yes" or "no" answer.
I call Deputy Joe Higgins to ask a final supplementary question.
Is there any point in the Opposition probing major public spending questions if you take this extremely restrictive approach to a question which goes to the heart of Question No. 6?
Neutral observers might take the opposite view about the Chair in relation to this question. It refers to legislation and not to its content, arrangements for the provision of the stadium or anything else. The question is very specific.
Do you believe the Speaker in most other Parliaments would be as interventionist as the Speaker is here?
Supplementary questions on this question would suggest that the Chair has been more than liberal. I call Deputy Joe Higgins.
You are providing a good example of why people turn off their televisions when the proceedings in Dáil Éireann are shown.
I suggest that Deputies submit questions which are relevant.
If Deputies were to submit such questions they would be ruled out of order. The Taoiseach volunteered a statement on this matter.
The questions would not be ruled out of order if they were within Standing Orders.
Perhaps you should distribute a sheet of paper advising the Opposition on what questions they should submit to the Taoiseach.
I have the utmost confidence that Opposition Deputies know what questions to submit. I call Deputy Joe Higgins.
(Dublin West): When people turn on the TV sets tonight they will be immensely impressed by the serried ranks of Ministers of State behind the Taoiseach and may wonder where the bankbenchers are. They must be working very hard.
Will the Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure meet between now and the end of the year? In the light of the recent catastrophic flood damage and the wider implications of climate change for our infrastructural capacity, does it consider a wide ranging discussion on infrastructure to be within its remit?
Deputy Higgins, that is totally removed from the question.
(Dublin West): This relates to my question on the Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure.
We have not reached that question yet.
Stadium Ireland will probably aggravate flooding in the Tolka.
