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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 26 Feb 2003

Vol. 562 No. 2

Ceisteanna – Questions (Resumed). Priority Questions. - National Sports Stadium.

Jack Wall

Question:

107 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position regarding the Government's proposal for a new national stadium; the discussions he has had recently with the national sporting organisations in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5727/03]

Jimmy Deenihan

Question:

109 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if the Government has made a decision on its involvement in the provision of a new stadium for soccer and rugby; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5726/03]

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.

Have reports from the FAI and the IRFU yet come to hand?

The problems envisaged by the FAI in the coming year will have to be addressed as a matter of urgency. Does the Minister expect the FAI and the IRFU, if they are to participate along with private partnership, to make financial projections as to their input into a proposed stadium? What percentage will they have to come up with in that regard? I support the stadium project and think it should be progressed urgently. Where does the FAI and the IRFU stand as a result of the meeting the Minister had with them? What indication did the Minister give them of the financial implications of their participation? Does the Minister feel the submissions to the Department offer a means whereby the FAI and IRFU could be included with the Government and a private partnership in providing a stadium?

There are three main questions. Is it possible a private partnership could include the FAI and the IRFU? If so, what are the financial implications for the two associations? Can the timescale element be met in regard to grouping the FAI, IRFU and private partnership together? That will be a complicated matter. What is the timescale for the overall package?

I appreciate Deputy Wall's support for the concept. I met the FAI and IRFU and asked them to come back with proposals before the end of March. At the moment neither of them are oozing with cash, quite the opposite. While the IRFU might not be badly off with regard to fixed assets both itself and the FAI have financial difficulties. That is often the case with sporting organisations.

As I read the situation, the financial proposals to be put forward by the FAI and IRFU will take account of the amount of advance ticket sales they can expect. Obviously they will look towards the business and corporate sector in that respect and I envisage their forthcoming contribution including funds they will accumulate arising from advance sales of tickets.

I suppose it would be possible for the private sector to proceed with the IRFU and FAI but the truth is that most of the 23 expressions of interest we have received have conditions attached. Many of them are not attractive conditions. I am opposed to any private developer getting land at the taxpayer's expense and making large profits from it. That is not a runner.

At the moment I am awaiting word from the IRFU and the FAI. When we have heard from them we will proceed to formulate a report for the Government. At that point we should know where we are going.

It is three years since the Taoiseach scuppered plans for Eircom Park and it is two years since he provided £60 million to the GAA to ensure it would not allow rugby or soccer to be played in Croke Park. Last October this Minister sought expressions of interest in the provision of a new stadium but it is obvious from his statement today that the 23 expressions of interest have been discarded. The new scenario is that we are now waiting for the FAI and IRFU to come back with their proposals. There is no clear outline as to how we will achieve our final objective.

For example, what happens if the IRFU and FAI come back and say that Lansdowne Road is not suitable for a development. What alternative plan has the Minister? He stated clearly in his expansive interview in a Sunday newspaper that there would be a definite stadium plan by the end of March. Can he assure the House, the IRFU and the FAI that there will be a definite stadium plan by then? If Lansdowne Road cannot be expanded into a 65,000 seater stadium, which is what is required, what alternative proposal has the Minister in place to satisfy the needs he outlined, both in terms of the economic reasons and the facilitation of the two sports and their supporters?

As I have said on a number of occasions, I am absolutely convinced of the need for a stadium. The current situation of the FAI and the IRFU is simply untenable. Even if the GAA decided to open up Croke Park in the morning it would not resolve the problem for several reasons, not least of which is the question of overlapping fixtures. Other factors include pitch deterioration caused by too many games being played, the objections of residents and floodlighting. In these circumstances the only alternative to the dilemma with which the FAI and the IRFU are faced, is for the Government to become involved in the construction of a new stadium.

I asked the FAI and the IRFU to report back to me by the end of March. The potential sites which have been identified are those at Abbotstown, Lansdowne Road, Newlands Cross and the location of the former Irish Glass Bottle Company. It must be remembered that Lansdowne Road has two tenants and it is not known if they are willing to move. There is also the question of planning in regard to turning the stadium by a 90º angle in order to achieve the required capacity. The IRFU also owns the Newlands Cross site.

My position is straightforward – I am waiting to hear from the FAI and the IRFU and when I have heard their final proposals I will bring a report to Government, at which point a decision can be taken. It is true that there were 23 expressions of interest from the private sector and these will form part of the report which will go before Government. The consideration of these took longer than I had hoped or anticipated. A final decision can be expected after I have heard from the FAI and the IRFU, which are in an untenable position in so far as the hosting of international games are concerned.

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