Jimmy Deenihan
Question:40 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Education if she has any plans to enter into discussions with representatives of the main sporting organisations with a view to providing a national outdoor sports stadium.
Written Answers. - Outdoor Sports Stadium Proposal.
Edward Nealon
Question:62 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for Education if the Government has any immediate plans to provide a national outdoor sports stadium.
Donal Carey
Question:78 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for Education if she has any plans to provide a national outdoor sports stadium.
Michael Finucane
Question:203 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for Education if she has any plans to provide a national outdoor stadium.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 40, 62, 78 and 203 together.
In March 1988, the Government allocated £2.25 million from national lottery funds for the development of a national outdoor stadium. In view of the huge costs involved there are no plans at this stage to develop an outdoor national sports stadium on a green field site.
The need to provide a suitable venue for international soccer matches with large ground capacity requirements can be met only by way of and adaptation of an existing stadium. In this regard discussions have taken place between my Department and the main sporting organisations. However, pending completion of these negotiations I am not in a position at this stage to outline detailed proposals or to give a time scale for the establishment of a national outdoor stadium.