Vol. 520 No. 4
16 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if he will identify the people working on the national stadium project; the salaries and conditions of employment of these people; if these jobs were advertised publicly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15984/00]
Deputies will be aware that following the Government's decision last January to proceed with the development of Campus and Stadium Ireland, a development company under the chairmanship of the former Secretary General of the Department of the Taoiseach, Paddy Teahon, was established.
I am advised that the people currently working on the project are the chairman of the development company, assisted by an official from the Department of the Taoiseach who has undertaken this task in addition to his normal duties. The Office of Public Works is providing the project management function for the infrastructure of the campus and stadium and a dedicated unit has been established in the office for that purpose.
I understand the development company has advertised for a team to provide executive services, including oversight, business organisation, financial control, communications and public relations in connection with the development. A fee for these services is being negotiated with the successful team.
What fee was agreed with the group? Last week I tabled a series of parliamentary questions about the national stadium at Abbottstown, but trying to get information is like getting blood from a turnip. Does the Minister agree that the project will cost almost £500 mill ion rather than £280 million, given the cost of relocating the farm, State laboratories and the Marine Institute at Abbottstown and of developing the infrastructure which will be required? In view of the growing perception that this project is being pushed by a golden circle which has an alternative agenda to that of the sporting federation and that it will be a costly white elephant which the taxpayer will have to fund, does he agree that there should be a moratorium on it so that a Dáil committee can investigate the costs involved? Will he comment on the vicious silent campaign by the Government and its agencies to undermine the Eircom Park project in west Dublin?
A comprehensive feasibility study was carried out on the stadium and its cost is estimated at £281 million, although that does not include the aquatic centre which we are trying to facilitate for the 2003 Special Olympics. I estimate that will cost a further £20 million which will bring the total to £300 million. There may be ongoing costs associated with it but the relocation of the other services is a matter for the Department of Finance. The Deputy estimates that it will cost £500 million. I estimate that would be cheap for a national stadium.
The Minister agrees it will cost £500 million.
I do not. A comprehensive feasibility study estimated it would cost £281 million.
There has not been a vicious campaign by any section of the Government to undermine the development of Eircom Park. Both the Taoiseach and I had many meetings with the FAI during this process and we supported its proposals. The Government will continue to support any proposals from the FAI.
Does the Minister agree that the Department of Finance estimated that it would cost a minimum of £90 million to relocate one of the facilities? If we add that to £280 million and the £20 million the Minister mentioned, which is a conservative estimate for the 50 metre pool, the total is more than £400 million and we have not set one stone upon another. Will he consider a moratorium on this project until a Dáil committee with powers can investigate the implications of this infrastructural development which will cost the taxpayer a minimum of £500 million?
There is not a requirement for any further quango to investigate the cost of the stadium. A comprehensive feasibility study has been carried out. The Government is also involved in decentralisation and it is estimated that up to 10,000 people may be required to relocate, which will cost money. Any further requests about the estimated cost of decentralising any section is a matter for the Department of Finance.
In view of the need for full information on this issue, will the Minister examine the reasons the Snow report, which was commissioned last October and used to try to block the Eircom development, has not yet been published?
I will deal with that issue in Question No. 17.
