Vol. 495 No. 5
14 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if he had met leading sporting organisations in relation to their development plans immediately prior to the announcement in relation to a national stadium; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20647/98]
While I did not meet the representatives of the leading sporting organisations in regard to their development plans immediately prior to the Taoiseach's announcement, I confirm that the executive chairman of the Sports Council has been in regular contact with these bodies in the context of their overall development and their five year strategic plans for their respective sports. Certain organisations have indicated that the provision of stadia is under active consideration.
I have, of course, over recent months had opportunities to meet leading figures of major sporting bodies on an individual basis and, inevitably, the need for appropriate stadia was discussed informally. These conversations were informative and were most helpful in my discussions with the Taoiseach and the Minister for Finance. As the Deputy is aware, the outcome of all these considerations was the Government decision to set up the steering committee to explore thoroughly all aspects of a stadium for the new century, particularly in light of the prospect of generous support for the project from individuals in the private sector.
Representatives of the national governing bodies were appointed to the steering committee which will oversee the feasibility study for the stadium and through that process will have the opportunity to bring their own perspectives to bear on the subject. As Minister for Sport, I am immensely pleased to be associated with this initiative. I am also certain that the approach we are taking is right. The steering committee includes people of the very highest calibre and I am confident that its work over the next eight months or so will equip the Government with advice of the highest quality in order to help it decide on the best way forward in pursuit of the overall objective.
I am a great believer in the saying, "there is no such thing as a free lunch" and I am always very suspicious of people who offer £50 million for a project through their own generosity. Did the Taoiseach have any discussions or meetings with the FAI, IRFU, BLE and Cumann Lúthchleas Gael before this announcement? I tabled these questions for answer by the Taoiseach but they were transferred to the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation. Did the Taoiseach talk to the FAI and the IRFU, for example, before he sidelined their projects which were at an advanced stage? What discussions took place with so-called business people before the announcement and what motives are behind the national stadium? Everyone is in favour of a national stadium, but this concept is sidelining others. The Minister told the FAI that it would not receive any funding until the steering committee issued its findings. I am concerned that we should not have a golden circle——
The Deputy should confine himself to questions and not make statements.
Will the Minster allay my fears that a golden circle of powerful businessman is hijacking the plans of a number of national sporting federations? Will he assure me that plans of these federations will go ahead while the steering committee is considering its options?
The Deputy has approached the issue with a degree of cynicism and considering he was formerly Minister of State with responsibility for sport I would not have expected him to hop on that bandwagon, which is more appropriate to certain sections of the media. The Deputy asked about a golden circle and was probably referring to Mr. J. P. McManus who has made it known that he is willing to support such a project. Culture and tradition are too slow to change in Ireland at times but I hope that the sporting culture of people such as J. P. McManus will long continue. I am sure I speak on behalf of the majority of the people, such is our sporting culture.
The country is lucky that it has a Taoiseach and Minister for Finance who have such an exceptional interest in sport. I am sure it is inevitable from time to time, given the Taoiseach's position, that meetings are requested with him. The FAI met him on one occasion at least and it may have met the Minister for Finance but I did not ask him. The Taoiseach explained to the FAI his belief that the idea of a national stadium for the new century should be examined first before individual stadia were embarked upon. I met representatives of various federations and organisations such as Sam Hamman and Wimbledon. All of us met representatives of the different federations with stadia proposals formally and informally and the Taoiseach informed them why we went in this direction.
I am mystified as to why the Minister short circuited his own review group.
