John Gormley
Question:41 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if he will make a statement on the status of the proposed national sports stadium. [9929/00]
Other Questions. - National Stadium.
John Browne
Question:45 Mr. Browne (Carlow-Kilkenny) asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the number of meetings held to date by the board of trustees of the national stadium; and the estimated overall cost of the stadium. [11511/00]
Derek McDowell
Question:48 Mr. McDowell asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the progress with regard to the Government plans for a national stadium; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11491/00]
Seán Ryan
Question:56 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation when the proposed development company to take the national stadium project through the design and construction stage will be established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11494/00]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:265 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if he has reached a final decision in the matter of the provision of a national stadium; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11778/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 41, 45, 48, 56 and 265 together.
Following on the Taoiseach's announcement of the Government's decision to proceed with plans to build a campus of sporting excellence and national stadium, to be known as Sports Campus Ireland and representing a total investment of £281 million, I have discussed this topic in the House on a number of occasions through parliamentary questions, most recently on 8 March and previously during a special debate on 9 February.
Members will be aware of the Government's decision to proceed with plans to build a campus of sporting excellence, including an 80,000 all seated national stadium, to be known as Sports Campus Ireland. This decision was informed by the feasibility study carried out by the consultants to the stadium steering committee and the committee's recommendations.
Having been identified by the consultants and recommended by the steering committee, the site at Abbotstown in west Dublin was accepted by the Government as the optimum location for the proposed sports campus and stadium.
Since I answered questions on this matter on 8 March last, the Campus and Stadium Ireland Development Company that will take the project through the design and construction stage has been established. The board of the new company, which is chaired by Mr Paddy Teahon, currently Secretary General at the Department of the Taoiseach, met for the first time on 29 March last, when it was addressed by the Taoiseach, the Minister for Finance and myself. An advertisement for executive services had been published with a closing date of 28 April. One of the first tasks of the company is to examine the feasibility of providing some of the infrastructure for the Special Olympics World Summer Games in 2003, including an aquatic centre.
It is expected that the board of trustees, in whom the Sports Campus Ireland asset will be vested, will be established in the near future.
Is the Minister satisfied that he has thought through this matter in detail? Is he aware that the cost of moving the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development facility is £60 million? Has that cost been part of the Minister's calculation?
What is the status of negotiations with the FAI and others whose co-operation with the project was proving difficult to achieve?
Negotiations with other Departments is a matter for the Department of Finance. Those negotiations are ongoing and will be discussed by the Cabinet at the appropriate time.
The Sports Campus Ireland project is going ahead. A development company has been appointed. The campus was intended to provide an infrastructure for all the national sports governing bodies and national organisations so that no organisation would have to enter into financial commitments to build a stadium for itself. The FAI has decided to go ahead with its own project. The association will be welcome at any stage to join in the national stadium project. That would be my preferred option. However, the FAI wishes to have its own emotional home and I am prepared to accept that decision while continuing with the development of Sports Campus Ireland.
Will the Minister reassess the projected cost of the stadium, which has been estimated at £280 million, given that people who know about stadia claim this project will cost between £400 and £500 million when it is completed?
Will the Minister reconsider the matter in the light of the recent statement by Mr. Seán Quinn, iar-uachtarán Cumann Lúthchleas Gael, that the GAA should consider allowing multifunctional use of Croke Park? This statement allows for the possible use of Croke Park by the IRFU. Before the Minister spends any more taxpayers' money on Sports Campus Ireland will he enter into realistic negotiations with the GAA regarding the multifunctional use of Croke Park?
I met officials of the GAA last week and I was also invited to address the GAA annual congress banquet on Saturday evening and at no time were any of these matters raised with me. The GAA released a press statement at 1 o'clock today which I will read to the House. It states:
Following recent speculation and assumptions based on a report of discussions which took place at a workshop at congress in Galway last weekend, the GAA wishes to affirm that its policy in relation to its use of grounds has not changed.
The GAA is already on record as welcoming and supporting the Government decision to proceed with the development of a national stadium and sports complex. The association also welcomes the fact that this stadium can accommodate Gaelic games and anticipates that Gaelic games will be played in this stadium when constructed in the second half of this decade.
These policies and views represent the official agreed position of the association and any other interpretation is at variance with the facts.
I have heard various rumours regarding the cost of Sports Campus Ireland. Some say the projected cost is too high and others say it is too low. That will be a matter for the development company.
The consultants' report states that in 15 stadia in other locations which were examined there was an average cost overrun of 73%. The initial projected cost of the national sports stadium was £281 million. There was a subsequent announcement that a 50 metre pool would be part of the complex. What is the cost of this pool in addition to the initial £281 million? Is it correct to assume the project will cost more than £500 million?
No. From the feasibility study, which was conducted by consultants of the highest calibre, the costing—
I am referring to the figure contained in the report.
In their report the consultants estimated the cost at £281 million. This does not include the cost of a 50 metre swimming pool which has now become a priority with the Special Olympic Games due to held here in 2003. It has been proposed that we should build a swimming pool of international standard through the provision of diving facilities. A private investor has indicated that they would be willing to support the provision of such facilities. It is now a matter for the development company which will assess the cost on an ongoing basis.
When did the Minister last meet the FAI to discuss the matter? Is he disappointed at its reaction and are relations strained as a result? How can he be confident about obtaining planning permission given that permission has been refused for major shopping centres on the periphery on the grounds that they would cause traffic congestion?
The Minister is confident that the project will be viable. Aside from the swimming pool element has the Minister or the Taoiseach invited or received any offers of investment from the private sector?
Relations between the Government and the FAI are not strained. The Taoiseach and I continue to attend and be invited to functions. There are disagreements and differences of opinion but we agree to disagree. The FAI is entitled to continue with its own stadium. I have not met the association nor has it requested a meeting with me since it met the Taoiseach recently at which time it outlined that it was prepared to go it alone. I have been asked if people living in the area have been consulted about the stadium. They will be able to voice through the planning process any objections they may have which will be considered in the first instance by the local authorities and ultimately An Bord Pleanála. The only offer of private investment has been received from Mr. J. P. McManus of £50 million. There is a possibility of a smaller but welcome sum for the provision of swimming pool facilities. Sporting organisations have a unique opportunity to avail of the stadium for major international events and as a consequence directly fund their constituent members. I am confident that the project will be viable.
Does the Minister accept that his Department and the Department of Finance are putting the cart before the horse? Given the expenditure involved in this project would it not be proper to engage in pre-planning consultation with the relevant planning authority? This has not been done to date.
It will be part of the remit of the development company to engage in consultations with all the people living in the area. They will have an opportunity to air their views through the planning process.
Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate.