Vol. 558 No. 2
174 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his views on media reports of the IRFU's position in regard to developing Lansdowne Road as part of the plans for Euro 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24020/02]
The joint bid made by Scotland and Ireland to UEFA to host the 2008 European Football Championship finals, provides for one quarter of the tournament to be hosted in Ireland. This requires the availability of two stadiums in Ireland, one with a capacity of at least 30,000 and the other of more than 40,000.
The portfolio of stadiums submitted to UEFA includes three Irish stadiums – Croke Park, Lansdowne Road and Stadium Ireland from which two will be selected for use in 2008. The IRFU agreed to the inclusion of Lansdowne Road in the bid submission as one of the stadium options. I am aware of the position of the IRFU in relation to its needs for the staging of international matches and I and my officials are in regular contact with the IRFU in this regard.
