Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 14 Nov 2001

Vol. 544 No. 1

Priority Questions. - Stadium Ireland.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

76 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if he has received the draft report of the consultants commissioned to carry out an independent overview of the Sports Campus Ireland project; if he will outline the main conclusions of the interim report; if the report recommends a significant reduction in the scale of the stadium; if he has brought the report to Government; when he expects the Government to make a decision on the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27868/01]

Jimmy Deenihan

Question:

77 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if independent consultants (details supplied) have submitted their overview of the Stadium and Sports Campus Ireland project to the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28191/01]

Dr. McDaid

I propose to take Questions Nos. 76 and 77 together.

The independent consultants, High-Point Rendel, have completed the overview of the cost of the Stadium and Sports Campus Ireland project, and their report has been presented to the steering group of senior officials appointed by Government to oversee the work. As soon as I receive the final report from the steering group with their advice, I intend submitting it to Government for its consideration.

I have already indicated to the House that until the report has been considered by Government I do not intend to make any statement on its contents.

Mr. O'Shea

When does the Minister expect that the report will have been dealt with by the steering group and be back with him? How long does he envisage it taking him to make recommendations to the Government? Can he give us a categorical assurance that he has absolutely no knowledge of what is contained in the consultants' report?

Dr. McDaid

The report will be with the steering group today and I imagine I will have it tomorrow. I hope to bring it to Cabinet within two or three weeks. I can categorically assure the Deputy that I have not seen the final report.

Mr. Deenihan

I remind the Minister that when I asked a similar question on 4 October he said he envisaged the report being submitted to the Government during October, so it is running over time.

Can the Minister confirm or deny that the figure for the total cost of the stadium of £625 million, which is being bandied about by a few distinguished journalists, is correct?

Will the Estimates which are to be published tomorrow have an influence on the Government's decision to proceed with the stadium or not?

Dr. McDaid

I accept what the Deputy says about my reply of 4 October. There has been a wide range of consultations with the various people concerned with the stadium. The delay has been caused by the amount of consultation which has taken place. With regard to the figure of £625 million, there have been several reports on this matter in various newspapers.

The Government is committed to building a stadium. The case for it was made at the last soccer international when the international and national media described our sports infrastructure as the worst in Europe.

It has been claimed that some parts of the project are to be long-fingered. The Government is committed to Sports Campus Ireland. Because of the changing economic situation it is proposed to go ahead with the Abbottstown element first, in preparation for the Special Olympics in 2003.

This country requires a substantial soccer stadium. The game against Iran was arranged at very short notice and the IRFU had already scheduled the international rugby match with Samoa. The rugby match had to be rescheduled and the matches played one day after the other. Conditions were not ideal and the country was labelled as providing one of the worst conditions under which any of the international players had played.

Mr. O'Shea

Is it the Minister's intention to publish the consultant's report and does he agree that in the public interest it should be circulated and debated in the House before any further irrevocable contracts are entered into? Does he envisage the contents of the consultant's report will have a bearing on the Campus Stadium Ireland Bill?

Dr. McDaid

No, it will not. I will bring the consultant's report to the Cabinet and the Government will decide on the question of publication.

Mr. O'Shea

What will be the Minister's recommendation?

Dr. McDaid

I will bring the report to the Cabinet. I am determined to proceed with the building of the stadium—

Mr. O'Shea

Will the Minister recommend that the report be published?

Dr. McDaid

—which I consider the country needs. We have made commitments to the FAI, the GAA and the IRFU and we intend to fulfil them.

Mr. Deenihan

Given that it will be at least 2005 or 2006 before the stadium is built, the various international teams visiting Ireland will face difficulties in the meantime. Surely there is a clear case to be made to the GAA to allow the playing of soccer and rugby at Croke Park, especially as half of the pitch is covered in tarmacadam while the Hogan Stand is being completed. A new pitch will have to be laid and in view of this does the Minister agree it is time for the Government to provide funding for a proper international playing surface and the other requisite facilities?

Dr. McDaid

I am confused with the Deputy's question in view of Deputy Noonan's position on the matter.

Mr. Deenihan

Our position is clear.

Dr. McDaid

We have been criticised for providing funding to the GAA for the development of Croke Park but we do not tell the organisation what to do.

Mr. Deenihan

The Minister should answer my question. The current situation represents an ideal opportunity to provide for a proper playing surface. Nobody would deny further funding provided the GAA allows the playing of soccer and rugby at Croke Park. That is Fine Gael policy.

Dr. McDaid

The Deputy is aware that national sporting organisations cannot be told what to do. Funding is provided to the national governing bodies but there can be no interference in their policies. I hope we qualify for the World Cup next year and if we are to co-host the European Championships there will be a huge outcry about the state of our playing conditions. I agree with Deputy Deenihan's concerns in that regard. I believe Croke Park should be opened to all sporting activities but it is a matter for the GAA. I hope the organisation takes this approach in the not too distant future.

Mr. Deenihan

If the Minister allowed Eircom Park to proceed it would have been ready next May.

Mr. O'Shea

Will the Minister recommend to the Government that the consultant's report should be published and debated in this House before any irrevocable contracts are entered into?

Dr. McDaid

I must first see the report. The Deputy served as a Minister of State and he will be aware there is little point in giving my personal view. I will consider the report, review matters in consultation with my Department and so on, and bring proposals to the Cabinet, one of which will deal with the question of publication. It will ultimately be a matter for the Government to decide.