Vol. 513 No. 5
13 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the meeting, if any, he has had with the chairperson (details supplied) of the steering group examining the possible development of a national sports stadium; the plans, if any, he has for such a meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25339/00]
29 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if he will gave an assurance that no casino or establishment, which would fall within the terms of the Gamings and Lottery Act, will be associated with the proposed national stadium; the sporting events which he envisages would attract attendance in excess of 50,000, 60,000, 70,000, 80,000 in each of the next ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2739/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 13 and 29 together.
I have already outlined earlier today the Government's decision to proceed with plans to build a campus of sporting excellence, including an 80,000 all seated national stadium, at Abbotstown in west Dublin, to be known as Sports Campus Ireland. Ireland, despite being a nation of sports enthusiasts does not have a stadium suitable for hosting all its field sports. The stadium now proposed will be capable of accommodating a wide range of sport and entertainment events. Crucially, a stadium of the size and quality proposed is essential if we are to attract major international sport events. The vision is a stadium of which Irish people can be proud and one which can compete with any stadium worldwide for such events.
I have not had a meeting with the chairperson of the stadium steering committee which included an official from my Department. The Deputies may be aware that the chairperson, Mr. Keogh will now chair a board of trustees that will hold the campus and stadium as assets for the Irish people. In addition, Paddy Teahon who is shortly to leave his position as Secretary General of the Department of the Taoiseach will chair the development company for the campus and stadium. While preliminary plans have been drawn up for the stadium, the development company will be responsible for finalising the plans and seeking planning permission. This will include devising a marketing strategy, including targetting appropriate sporting events for the stadium. The target is to have Sports Campus Ireland operational by 2005.
