I propose to take Questions Nos. 107 and 109 together.
As I previously advised the House in response to Questions Nos. 2 and 4 on 30 January, I expect to present a report to Government in the near future on the evaluation of the expressions of interest received in developing a privately financed stadium at Abbotstown. My report will deal, inter alia, with issues of stadium location, size and cost. In particular, it will take cognisance of the acknowledged need of the major field sporting bodies for additional modern sporting facilities, the provision of which remains a Government commitment.
My consultations with both the Football Association of Ireland and the Irish Rugby Football Union, in the context of the recent joint Scottish-Irish bid for the 2008 UEFA finals, served to highlight the difficulties that confront both of these organisations. The position of the FAI, in particular, becomes acute next year when qualifying fixtures for the 2006 World Cup get under way. FIFA is insisting that Ireland's home fixtures must be played in all-seat stadia. The provision of temporary seating accommodation will no longer be acceptable. This will bring into question the viability of Lansdowne Road as a location for competitive international soccer fixtures. The current capacity of Lansdowne Road is limited to 49,000 spectators for rugby and 35,000 for soccer but this will be reduced to 24,000 when the new FIFA requirements come into effect in mid-2004.
While Lansdowne Road still provides adequate facilities for international rugby matches the availability of a modern stadium with increased capacity would generate additional income for the IRFU. It is estimated that, in the event of a 65,000 all-seater stadium being provided, the additional gross income would be of the order of €2.3 million per match. This would be a major financial boost for the IRFU, which would assist with the funding of the game of rugby. In addition, the income which would accrue to Ireland through the attendance here of larger numbers of supporters from abroad would also be significant. For example, a report commissioned by the IRFU, under the UCD marketing development programme, found that the two home internationals held in Lansdowne Road in 1999 – Ireland versus France and versus England – generated for the Irish economy an estimated €18.5 million from both home supporters and visitors from abroad.
I met recently the IRFU and FAI and asked them to assess and delineate their needs for stadium facilities and to put forward their proposals for meeting these needs. I expect to receive a report from them within a month which I will then bring to the attention of the Government. I will ask the Government to consider that report in conjunction with consideration of the expressions of interest received for a privately funded stadium at Abbotstown.