I am pleased to place on the record of the House that the Taoiseach has confirmed to the Scottish First Minister, Mr. Jack McConnell, that the Government is fully committed to supporting the preparation of a joint bid by the Football Association of Ireland and the Scottish Football Association to host the European football championship finals in 2008. Accordingly, both football associations have formally conveyed to UEFA their intention to submit a joint bid by the end of May 2002 in accordance with UEFA's bidding requirements.
An essential element of the bid is the provision of the necessary infrastructure and support organisation. In this context the Government has been in communication with various organisations, including the GAA on 27 February 2002, to request its support in making available the necessary facilities.
The Deputy will be aware that the GAA is already co-operating in hosting at Croke Park the opening and closing ceremonies of the Special Olympics in 2003. The association has also, in its recently published strategic review, recommended that it should consider allowing the use of Croke Park by other codes, on an occasional basis, as soon as the redevelopment of the stadium is completed and the newly laid pitch has been proved capable of accommodating a games programme. The pitch is currently being re-laid and is expected to accommodate games from as early as June this year.
At the meeting on 27 February, the GAA confirmed that motions on the decision-making process in regard to the use of Croke Park by other codes are on the agenda at its annual congress in mid-April. Should these recommendations-motions be approved by its congress, the GAA has confirmed to the Government that it will then be in a position to consider the request to accommodate some of the European championship games.
Meanwhile, the Government has agreed with the Scottish Executive to establish a joint bid steering committee, comprising representatives of the Government, the Scottish Executive, the FAI and the Scottish FA, to oversee preparation of the bid documentation for submission to UEFA by the due date of 31 May 2002.