Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 30 Jan 2002

Vol. 547 No. 1

Priority Questions. - Sports Funding.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

35 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the discussions he has had with the Football Association of Ireland or the Scottish Football Association regarding the proposed joint bid to host the 2008 European Championships; the role the Government will play in supporting the bid; the financial support, available from the Government; when the report of the consultants on Stadium-Campus Ireland will now be published, having regard to the requirement for two all-seater stadia; the discussions he has had with the IRFU regarding redevelopment of Lansdowne Road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2792/02]

Dr. McDaid

A joint delegation from the Scottish FA and the Scottish Executive met Department officials on 17 December last to discuss their proposed joint bid with the FAI to host the European Football Championships 2008 and the requirements set out by UEFA for hosting that tournament. The Scottish delegation subsequently met Bord Fáilte and the Football Association of Ireland – FAI – on the same day. The chief executive of the FAI conveyed to my Department officials at a meeting four days later on 21 December, 2001 his association's strong support for a joint Irish-Scottish bid to host the tournament.

On Friday, 25 January I had a preliminary discussion with the Scottish Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport on this matter and we arranged that officials of our respective Departments should meet without further delay. This meeting took place yesterday 29 January 2002, with officials of the Scottish Executive, and a meeting with the FAI has been arranged for Friday next. In addition, I have arranged to meet Mr. Mike Watson, Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport in the Scottish Executive on 5 February next.

The Government supports in principle the proposed joint bid but there are still issues to be considered before it can proceed, for example, UEFA requirements in terms of stadia, policing, security, accommodation, transport and other infrastructure and services needed in organising this major international tournament. At any rate, football associations must confirm by 28 February to UEFA that they intend submitting a joint bid by 31 May, the closing date for the submission of formal bids.

Meanwhile, the independent consultants, High-Point Rendel, have completed the overview of the cost of the stadium and sports campus Ireland project and the steering group appointed by Government to oversee the work submitted its final report to me in early December. Since then a Cabinet sub-group has been considering the options open to the Government in light of the recommendations of the HPR report. I do not intend to make further comment until the Government has completed its considerations of the report and the implications, if any, for the current plans for the Campus and Stadium Ireland project. No discussions have taken place with the IRFU in regard to the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road.

Mr. O'Shea

I thank the Minister for his comprehensive reply. Will he assure the House that the joint bid for the European championships in 2008 is not just a cynical political exercise whereby, on the one hand, the Scottish First Minister wants to get off the hook in terms of commitments made by his predecessor and, on the other, it suits the Taoiseach to push forward his pet project? The Minister is on record as saying that he favours the publication of the High-Point Rendel report. Will he recommend to Cabinet that the report be published and, if so, when does he anticipate it will be published? Will he explain to the House why the Campus and Stadium Ireland Bill, which in the autumn was promised for early in 2002, has been postponed to mid-2002? Effectively, this means the Bill is unlikely to be ready before the general election?

Dr. McDaid

I assure the Deputy this is not a cynical bid because we have been dealing with this issue since last December. The Deputy mentioned that this will suit the Taoiseach, but that is not the case. We were continuing to progress the Campus and Stadium Ireland project throughout the year – it has taken up all our time throughout January. It has absolutely nothing to do with our intention in regard to the stadium.

On the publication of the High-Point Rendel report, I have made it clear that it is my intention to have the report published. The Campus and Stadium Ireland Bill is at an advanced stage in my Department.

Mr. O'Shea

The Minister should look at the programme of legislation presented by his colleague which anticipated when the Campus and Stadium Ireland Bill would be published. Regarding the High-Point Rendel report, is it his intention that the public will be given a reasonable chance to absorb it and pass on their views to their public representatives and that before further binding arrangements are arrived at, this House will have an opportunity to debate the report?

Dr. McDaid

When the report is published it will be made available to all Deputies. There are many positive aspects in the High-Point Rendel report. If the Deputy will wait I will give a full reply to a question on the report in a few minutes when perhaps we can go into the matter in some detail.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

As Deputy Naughten is indisposed we will move on to Question No. 37.

Jimmy Deenihan

Question:

37 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if the Government has fully considered the High-Point Rendel report on the stadium and campus Ireland project; the action the Government proposes to take on this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2570/02]

Dr. McDaid

The independent consultants, High-Point Rendel, have completed the overview of the cost of the stadium and sports campus Ireland project and the steering group appointed by Government to oversee the work submitted its final report to me early in December. Since then a Cabinet sub-group has been considering the options open to the Government in light of the recommendations of the HPR report. I do not intend making further comment until the Government has completed its considerations and reached a decision on the report and implications, if any, for the current plans for the Campus and Stadium Ireland project.

Mr. Deenihan

Perhaps the Minister will explain the delay in this regard. Previously he declared publicly that he hoped to have the report completed before Christmas. It is extraordinary that his Cabinet colleague, the Tánaiste, Deputy Harney, appealed last week on television for the report to be published. Will he confirm if there is a division within the Cabinet regarding the report and the whole future of Campus and Stadium Ireland?

Dr. McDaid

Perhaps I should outline for the Deputy the steps that have been taken in this regard. First, the High-Point Rendel report was commissioned in June or July. Second, a steering group was set up to oversee the report and it accepted it on my behalf in early December and presented it to me on 12 December. Third, a Cabinet sub-group was set up. This consisted of myself as chairman, the Minister for Finance, the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment and Local Government, Deputy Molloy, and the Attorney General. Fourth, officials from the Department of the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste's adviser, officials from the Attorney General's office, the Department of Finance and my Department assisted the sub-group. These meetings took place throughout the Christmas period and in January.

While this is the Dáil's first day back, we have been going through the report in great detail during January when we took on board all the issues. There have been three meetings between officials and two meetings between the Attorney General, the Minister for Finance, Deputy McCreevy, the Minister of State, Deputy Molloy, and myself to discuss aspects of the High-Point Rendel report. While there are positive issues in the report, there are also issues of concern to us. It takes some time to go through the report in its entirety so that a satisfactory conclusion can be reached. I hope to bring the matter to Cabinet shortly. While I would like to discuss the matter with the Deputy, I am sure he will appreciate that I cannot do so until I first discuss it with my colleagues. I assure him the matter is at an advanced stage and I hope we will be making a decision on it shortly.

Mr. Deenihan

Obviously there is no division within the Government on this matter. The Minister did not reply to the Tánaiste's statement last week that the report should be published.

Dr. McDaid

I agree it should be published.

Mr. Deenihan

The Tánaiste indicated there was some dispute as to whether it should be published. Irrespective of the report and its recommendations – the Minister and the Taoiseach have made contradictory statements at different times – is the Minister still determined to go ahead with Campus and Stadium Ireland in its present form?

Dr. McDaid

The Deputy will be aware that I have always been a supporter of the stadium and the entire campus idea because I believe it is futuristic and an indication of where this country is going at the beginning of this century and millennium. However, we must take on board the concerns regarding the stadium and the recommendations in the High-Point Rendel report. We have taken on board all those considerations and we have been discussing every part of the High-Point Rendel report, which is the reason for the delay until now. I have always been a supporter of the stadium. Deputy O'Shea indicated that something mischievous was going on concerning the European Football Championships in 2008. I have always maintained, however, that without the proper infrastructure, the country will never be able to attract major international events. If we had this stadium, or even a glimpse of two proper stadia, we would have been flying for 2008.

Mr. Deenihan

We have the finest stadium in Europe at Croke Park.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Allow the Minister to continue without interruption.

Dr. McDaid

The requirements for hosting the 2008 championships are such that for a group match a stadium capable of seating 30,000 people is needed. A 40,000 plus stadium is required for a quarter-final or semi-final, and for an opening match or the final a 50,000 seat stadium is needed. I would remind the Deputy of the economic benefits of these matches. For example, the English international rugby match brings 20 million into the economy of Dublin every time it is held here. The Welsh match brings in 15 million, while the French and Scottish matches bring in 12 million each. This means that over the two year period involved, some 70 million is spent in Dublin when it hosts those four matches alone.

Mr. Deenihan

If the Minister could put them into Croke Park it would probably bring in another 10 million.

Dr. McDaid

I have always believed in having a national stadium. Sport is growing and more people are becoming interested in it. I understand that 2.5 million extra seats were required for the format presented last year for 29 extra GAA matches.