Vol. 550 No. 2
2 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the matters discussed and conclusions reached at his meeting with representatives of the GAA on 27 February 2002; the undertakings or commitments he received from the GAA representatives regarding the availability of Croke Park if the joint FAI-Scottish FA bid for the 2008 European soccer championships is successful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8199/02]
I am pleased to place on the record of the House that the Taoiseach has confirmed to the Scottish First Minister, Mr. Jack McConnell, that the Government is fully committed to supporting the preparation of a joint bid by the Football Association of Ireland and the Scottish Football Association to host the European football championship finals in 2008. Accordingly, both football associations have formally conveyed to UEFA their intention to submit a joint bid by the end of May 2002 in accordance with UEFA's bidding requirements.
An essential element of the bid is the provision of the necessary infrastructure and support organisation. In this context the Government has been in communication with various organisations, including the GAA on 27 February 2002, to request its support in making available the necessary facilities.
The Deputy will be aware that the GAA is already co-operating in hosting at Croke Park the opening and closing ceremonies of the Special Olympics in 2003. The association has also, in its recently published strategic review, recommended that it should consider allowing the use of Croke Park by other codes, on an occasional basis, as soon as the redevelopment of the stadium is completed and the newly laid pitch has been proved capable of accommodating a games programme. The pitch is currently being re-laid and is expected to accommodate games from as early as June this year.
At the meeting on 27 February, the GAA confirmed that motions on the decision-making process in regard to the use of Croke Park by other codes are on the agenda at its annual congress in mid-April. Should these recommendations-motions be approved by its congress, the GAA has confirmed to the Government that it will then be in a position to consider the request to accommodate some of the European championship games.
Meanwhile, the Government has agreed with the Scottish Executive to establish a joint bid steering committee, comprising representatives of the Government, the Scottish Executive, the FAI and the Scottish FA, to oversee preparation of the bid documentation for submission to UEFA by the due date of 31 May 2002.
I thank the Minister for that comprehensive reply. Obviously, the GAA must sort out its own affairs. However, in the context of the planning permission the GAA currently has for the Croke Park site, how many events, apart from its own events, is the organisation allowed to hold each year? Does the GAA require planning permission for floodlighting? Will floodlighting be part of the requirement for the 2008 European championships? Are infrastructure problems being addressed? Have preconditions been put down by the IRFU which would effectively mean the Lansdowne Road-Croke Park proposal cannot go forward because the IRFU is not prepared to be part of the proposal unless the national stadium is provided?
With regard to the first part of the Deputy's question, I believe the GAA has planning permission for either three or six events. Planning permission is required for floodlighting, particularly floodlighting for a national stadium. I understand the GAA has applied for floodlighting for Croke Park but that is a matter for the GAA.
I will be meeting the IRFU this evening, having met with all relevant organisations at different times in relation to the stadium and the 2008 bid being made together with the Scottish FA. There are a number of options depending on what happens at the GAA annual congress and what happens concerning the national stadium. The IRFU has stated publicly that it is unwilling to reduce its capacity at Lansdowne Road to 35,000 unless the national stadium is a runner. The IRFU can accommodate 49,000 spectators at present. If it was to reduce that capacity to a 35,000 all-seat stadium at Lansdowne Road, capacity for 14,000 spectators would be lost.
No organisation wants to lose that level of capacity and the IRFU knows there could be 50,000 or more spectators at the English, Welsh, Scottish and French matches, to name but four matches. It is only natural that the IRFU has reservations but there are three options open to us at present, whether that is option AB, AC or BC. These matters remain entirely optional and until I meet all relevant organisations I will not be able to give the Deputy a full answer on that.
In relation to the proposal that is to go to UEFA by the end of May, if planning permission is not forthcoming for floodlighting at Croke Park and if the issue of extending the number of events – apart from the non-GAA events covered in the present planning permission – is not dealt with, will that render the application into a form which is unlikely to be accepted? I am saying this against the background of greatly welcoming this prestigious event here in 2008.
I am not sure whether floodlighting is required for the 2008 championships. The event is in the summer and will take place from 7-29 June. Floodlighting will not be required as most matches will be played in the earlier part of the day. What is required is at least two stadiums capable of holding 30,000 spectators. For a semi or quarter final, one of those stadiums would have to be capable of holding more than 40,000 spectators, and perhaps more than 50,000 for a semi final. While there is some degree of uncertainty at present, I am sure Deputies will agree that by 2008 all of these facilities will be available to us. There seems to be a difficulty at present with the date of 31 May but Lansdowne Road, Croke Park and the national stadium, which I have always backed, will be available by 2008.
It would be a great pity to lose out on these championships because the World Cup has changed to six world zones. The World Cup will come to Europe only every 24 years. All of the other major countries of Europe after 2008 will be bidding year after year for the European championships. We will never get this chance again and must take it this time.
