Vol. 502 No. 2
18 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the progress, if any, made to date by the steering committee established to prepare a feasibility study on a national stadium; the number of occasions on which the committee has met to date; when it will complete its work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7389/99]
On 13 October last year, the Government agreed to the commissioning of a feasibility study for the development of a national stadium, and to the establishment of a stadium steering committee to conduct the feasibility study and to make recommendations based on the findings of the study. The steering committee, which to date has met on four separate occasions, is chaired by Mr. Derek Keogh and includes representatives from major sporting organisations, including the FAI, the GAA and the IRFU, as well as representatives from the private sector and a number of Government Departments.
The committee is overseeing the preparation of a feasibility study which will address the issues necessary for the Government to make an early decision on the matter. The study will examine a range of issues relevant to the feasibility of developing and operating a stadium, including the economic, social and other benefits that can be expected to be derived, and will analyse potential demand for use of the facilities from various sporting, entertainment and other commercial categories. A process to select experts to carry out the feasibility study, conducted by the steering committee in line with EU and national public procurement procedures was initiated and a number of consultants were subsequently invited to submit tenders for the task by a deadline of 9 February. I understand that selection of the successful proposal to undertake the task will be made very shortly. The steering committee expects that the finalised feasibility study, and the recommendations on it, will be available for consideration by the Government by September 1999.
