Jimmy Deenihan
Question:1 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism when funding will be provided to enable the proposed campus Ireland project to commence at Abbotstown; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35007/05]
Priority Questions.
Sports Capital Programme.
Jack Wall
Question:2 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position regarding sports campus Ireland; his views on whether it is vital that the campus be completed on time, in 2010, in order that it can be maximised for use ahead of the 2012 Olympics; his further views on whether plans should be put in place to maximise the use of the facility ahead of the aforementioned Olympic Games; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35011/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together.
The Government decided in 2004 to proceed, as financial resources permit, with the development of a campus of sports facilities at Abbotstown. Campus and Stadium Ireland Development Limited undertook an in-depth preparatory process, which included engaging with the major governing bodies of sport and stakeholders, and drew up proposals for the development of the sports campus in a series of phases. Phase 1 of the development control plan proposes the development of pitches and ancillary accommodation catering mainly for rugby, soccer and Gaelic games, the sports which engage the greatest number of people in Ireland. In addition, an indoor sports centre is planned, to cater for a range of indoor sports with spectator accommodation and publicly accessible all-weather floodlit synthetic pitches are also included.
The Government had an initial discussion on the proposal last September and requested that further analysis be carried out by the Office of Public Works in connection with the delivery of the project. I have reported to my Cabinet colleagues on the outcome of this additional analysis which will be factored into consideration of the Department's capital envelope for 2006-10 to be published on budget day.
I am hopeful that there will be a positive outcome and, in that eventuality, it is my intention to establish a statutory agency to oversee the Abbotstown project. I am conscious of the need to have top class sports facilities in place in good time to create opportunities which would promote Ireland as a location for foreign teams wishing to avail of training for the London Olympics in 2012.
Whereas I am pleased with the Minister's reply to some extent, I am somewhat disappointed that provision was not made in today's Estimates for the sports campus development. However, the Minister has indicated provision for it will be made in the budget and I look forward to such an announcement.
I stress the importance of this facility for Irish sport. It is vital that it is provided to ensure Irish sport can compete at international level. It is also critical for so many of our young athletes so as to develop their talents to compete internationally for Ireland. This would be a centre for excellence, an academy for sport and cover all the main national outdoor sports.
Will the Minister give a commitment that moneys will be provided in the budget? Will he give an indication of when work will commence on the campus? How long will it take to develop the campus? It is important it starts in time so that Irish and international Olympic teams can avail of its facilities for the 2012 games in London.
Today's Estimates relate only to current expenditure. It is anticipated that capital projects will be announced later. Some work needs to be done on the Abbotstown campus proposal. We would have to enter into arrangements for funding over four years for phase 1 of the programme. It will be decided in the current discussions with the Minister for Finance on the capital provision for the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism. Campus Stadium Ireland Development Limited was asked to prepare a list of priorities on the construction of the sports campus for consideration. The company did so and those proposals have been presented in the usual manner to the Minister for Finance. We must await announcements by the Minister for Finance on the capital budget provision. I expect that will be done either before or during the budget speech.
My predecessor, Deputy O'Shea, and I fully support the establishment of such a sports facility. Given the costs that will be incurred to send a team to the Beijing Olympic Games, the real aim of all sporting disciplines will be the 2012 games in London. Not since 1948, have we had a better opportunity to send teams to the games. London has a similar climate to Ireland's climate which will also be helpful to an Irish team. However, we will want the team prepared to the highest level of excellence. The proposed sports campus gives us the ideal opportunity to achieve this.
The Minister stated that the funding for phase 1 will come over four years. Has it been decided what phase 1 and the subsequent phases will involve? This will play a large role for the different disciplines in their planning for the 2012 games. Will the Minister give a timeframe of what will be available to our sportsmen and sportswomen? The team being sent to London will possibly be the largest Olympic team in our lifetimes. It offers a wonderful opportunity to us to have the strongest team too.
All else being equal, phase 1 will proceed and will involve a four-year period, but it may be a five-year cycle. The plan for phase 1 would provide pitches and ancillary facilities catering for the three major field games, rugby, soccer and Gaelic games. It would also include an indoor sports centre to cater for a range of indoor sports with spectator accommodation, as well as shared core facilities such as accommodation and fitness gyms. Publicly accessible all-weather floodlit synthetic pitches are also included.
Other developments, including an arena and headquarters for major governing sporting bodies and so forth have been left for consideration in future phases. Provided that phase 1 is completed in the proposed timeframe, a future government may enter into phase 2. I have always acknowledged the support of Deputies Deenihan and Wall for the sports campus project. I anticipate, irrespective of what might happen in an election, we will see a necklace of event centres which would ultimately give to the nation a campus suitable for all types of major international competitions. Sport in Ireland has grown. In 1997, we spent €17 million on sport while today's Estimates show a spend of €155 million. If we are to take advantage of the 2012 London Olympics, it is crucial phase 1 is delivered.
Does the Minister believe a realistic start will be made on the sports campus in 2006? Will the Minister give a commitment or a strong indication that money will be provided for this development in the budget? The Minister mentioned a necklace of facilities, and I ask him his plans for regional facilities throughout Ireland. It is one thing to have a campus in Abbotstown but another to look after young athletes in different regions. Is there a plan, parallel to the campus development, for the rest of the country? There has been much talk of an institute of sport in this country, but does this proposal incorporate the development of such an institute, which has been proposed by previous Ministers and others?
To answer the Deputy's last question, there is no provision in the first phase of the proposed Abbotstown project for aninstitute of sport. The Irish Sports Council is compiling a proposal for an institute of sport for presentation to Government. That proposal is at an advanced stage and I expect to receive it soon.
With regard to the construction of regional facilities across the country, Deputy Deenihan is aware of a number of such facilities, not least in his constituency. In Castleisland, for example, An Ríocht has a fine athletics centre. Other such centres for different sports are evident throughout the country. There is no parallel formalised plan for the construction of regional sports centres across the country. I have concentrated my energy on whether it is first possible to initiate the first phase of the Abbotstown project. Future consideration should be given to the matter.
State Airports.
Martin Ferris
Question:3 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will make a statement on the future of the Shannon Airport stopover, and the implications any change may have for tourism in the south west. [35105/05]
I take this opportunity to congratulate again my colleague, the Minister for Transport, Deputy Cullen, on the agreement he concluded with the US authorities last week in the context of the current EU-US negotiations on open skies. This is great news for, and has been generally welcomed by, the Irish tourism industry, which will be a huge winner when the anticipated new and additional gateways in the United States are opened up.
The US market is our second largest tourism market, delivering close to 1 million visitors annually and generating a revenue spend of approximately €700 million. United States visitors stay longer, spend more per capita and travel more widely in the country, which is critically important for improved regional spread of tourism. The proposed new arrangements have major potential to open up a range of new air services between Ireland and the United States. According to some tourism industry sources, this agreement gives Ireland the potential to double the number of US visitors by 2012 to 2 million and should add each year an extra 150,000 visitors and €100 million in revenue to the Irish economy.
Market research carried out in the United States by the tourism State agencies in recent years has demonstrated a consistently high level of interest in Ireland as a holiday destination and a high level of unsatisfied demand due to the very limited number of direct access gateways and routes between Ireland and the USA. I am pleased that under the proposed agreement, Irish carriers will have access to three additional gateways from November 2006. I am also pleased that the need for a transition phase for Shannon has been recognised. I believe this breakthrough agreement represents a major opportunity for Ireland as a whole and it is imperative that the industry and public sector in the west, in particular, work together in a positive and integrated way to realise the great potential on offer. For my part, I will ask the tourism State agencies to take the necessary measures and work with the industry to capitalise on the very significant opportunities arising from Friday's announcement.
The Ireland-US bilateral agreement made sense at the time it was negotiated. Now, however, we must move on and grasp the opportunities for all regions, including the south west, arising from such a large potential tourism market that is well disposed to the Irish product offering. The conclusion of such an agreement has long been an objective of Irish tourism policy and was a major recommendation in the report of the tourism policy review group, New Horizons for Irish Tourism: An Agenda for Action, published in September 2003.
Does the Minister agree that the agreement worked out between the Minister for Transport, Deputy Cullen, and the US Secretary of Transport will have a detrimental effect on tourism in the west, the mid-west and, in particular, the south-west region? What measures does the Government intend to take to ensure that Shannon Airport retains a high level of aviation business? What guarantees, if any, can be provided to ensure tourist numbers are not affected in those areas?
Does the Minister agree that the phase-out of the stopover flies directly in the face of Government commitments to balanced regional development? Does he agree with the view of SIGNAL, which represents workers at Shannon Airport, that 40,000 jobs both directly and indirectly in the tourist sector could be placed in danger as a consequence of drawing more business and tourist flights to the east coast?
We have all heard these dire warnings for some time. They are not representative of the general air of optimism for the future that is more evident in the Shannon region, especially in terms of maximising the potential of Shannon Airport. The airport has already this year reported a 36% growth in traffic and stated it is on target to deliver an additional 1 million passengers this year.
The Minister for Transport, Deputy Cullen, last Friday stated that this deal was hard won and gives Shannon Airport a good opportunity to prepare for the arrival of open skies. It also provides Aer Lingus with an opportunity to fly to three new destinations from 2006. This will enable the company to develop its transatlantic route structure in the approach to open skies, open new markets for Irish tourism, offer greater choice to consumers and facilitate the growth of jobs in Ireland. The Minister also announced proposals to prepare an economic and tourist development plan in consultation with the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and me to ensure Shannon Airport sustains and grows transatlantic air services. I look forward to working with these Ministers on this plan.
I am pleased that three additional gateways can be opened for Irish carriers next year. The Minister for Transport has stated that these points will be nominated by Irish authorities and there will be flexibility to change these cities during the transitional period. Market research carried out in the United States by the tourism State agencies has demonstrated a consistently high level of interest in Ireland as a holiday destination, and a high level of unsatisfied demand due to the limited number of direct access gateways and routes between Ireland and the USA.
It is sometimes forgotten that the bilateral arrangement between Ireland and the United States of America was a double-edged sword. Our national carrier was restricted to five gateway cities in the United States of America under the terms of the deal. Our national airline was accordingly prohibited from flying out of other gateway cities in the US. This was clearly to the detriment of the airline's business and the tourism business in Ireland. I accept the stopover had a beneficial use in its time. However, times have changed and there are now greater degrees of access to the country and far more carriers are entering Ireland. There are far more opportunities for Shannon than there were at the time of the stopover's introduction.
Sports Stadium.
Jimmy Deenihan
Question:4 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the timescale for the provision of the new stadium at Lansdowne Road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35008/05]
As I advised the House previously, in January 2004 the Government agreed to provide funding to the joint IRFU and FAI project for the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road stadium. The facility will be a 50,000 all-seated stadium to be built on the grounds of the existing stadium at Lansdowne Road and will meet all the current international standards for rugby and soccer.
The Lansdowne Road stadium development company has been formed and is the contracting party for the development and management of the new Lansdowne Road stadium. Over the past year and a half, the company has been working to a very challenging timescale and I note with satisfaction that all targets of the project schedule so far have been met. A formal legal agreement has been signed between the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism, the IRFU and the FAI with regard to the procurement of the project. A steering group, with representatives of the IRFU, the FAI, the OPW and the Departments of Finance and Arts, Sport and Tourism, under the chair of the Secretary General of the Department is overseeing the delivery of the project.
In April 2005, following a tender competition, the design and project management teams for the stadium were contracted. Following their appointment, work on developing the conceptual design got under way and I was very pleased to launch the new detailed design for the project on Monday, 17 October 2005. The new design has been created in consultation with the different stakeholder groups that will be involved in and impacted on by the stadium. As a result, in order to minimise the impact on residents living in close proximity to the new structure, the design, which is at four levels on the east, west and south sides, sweeps down to a single level at the north end. The revised detailed design is an innovative solution that provides a better stadium facility incorporating significantly more corporate and premium seats.
The detailed design for the project has been costed at €365 million. The House will recall that the Government's commitment was to provide a maximum of €191 million towards the project with the balance being provided jointly by the IRFU and FAI. This commitment has been reiterated and is accepted and understood by both the IRFU and the FAI. Both sporting organisations have indicated they can meet the additional cost from increased income streams from forward selling of the additional seats.
Lansdowne Road Stadium Development Company is currently preparing the application for planning permission. It is intended that this stage will be completed within the next month. By the end of 2005, the planning application will be ready for lodgment. Lansdowne Stadium Development Company has adopted a very open and listening approach to the concerns of local residents who are understandably concerned about the changes planned for the existing stadium grounds. In this context, the project is geared to meet the requirements of the planning process. At this stage, it is not realistically possible to establish with certainty the length of time that will be required to complete the process. Working on the assumption that there will be no untold delay, construction work will commence in early 2007. Construction is scheduled to take 29 months and, on this basis, the end of 2009 could see completion of the redeveloped stadium, which will cater for the international fixtures of the IRFU and the FAI.
I thank the Minister for his detailed reply and his invitation to both Deputy Wall and I to the launch of the Lansdowne Road project, of which we were supportive. In light of the recent fire on the northern terrace, does the Minister agree the stadium is on borrowed time and could be described as an aging stadium? In reality, there is only one stand — the east — as the west stand and both terraces require substantial overhauls, hence the urgency of sustaining momentum. In light of what happened at Lansdowne Road last week, it may be an opportune time to approach Croke Park in order to negotiate the possibility of holding future soccer home internationals there. Perhaps the Minister could influence that decision at this time.
The Minister launched the project and has studied the design. Will he confirm that he would consider the design to be sympathetic to the constraints of the site and reflective of local residents' concerns? It is obvious that, when the stadium will eventually get planning permission, an appeal will be made to An Bord Pleanála, which could go even further. In anticipation of this, does the Minister believe it to be a good idea to establish an umbrella group composed of the various stakeholders and residents to examine problems in order that the planning process can be expedited and no delays will occur on the planning decision for this important national project? Will the Minister inform the House of the contributions of the IRFU and FAI in respect of the increased estimate for the stadium?
The IRFU has met with the residents of the areas around Lansdowne Road a number of times, who are well aware of the development proposals. A consultative forum with an independent chairman, Mr. Dermot Egan, has been established through Dublin City Council to act as a channel through which the residents' anxieties and fears can be made known, dealt with and resolved where possible. In order to minimise the impact on those residents living in close proximity to the new structure, the design is at four levels on three sides and one on a fourth.
The Lansdowne Road development will be subject to the rigours of the planning process and the rights of all those affected by it will be protected. We have engaged in so far as was possible with the residents through the IRFU and other means. At this point, a new stadium with world class facilities that looks magnificent and has been praised by leading environmentalists, such as Mr. Frank McDonald, is far more preferable to a concrete jungle, which might be the alternative were the stadium to move out of Lansdowne Road. I encourage residents to consider this very carefully. It is a democracy and people are entitled to do as they wish. Deputy Deenihan knows that there is very little he or I could do about it.
In respect of the cost of the stadium, the IRFU and FAI will share the balance of the cost between them. I cannot recall the exact proportion. The State's contribution will be €191 million and the entire cost will be €365 million. I am assured by both the FAI and IRFU that they are confident and quite positive that they will be in positions to raise the necessary funds through advance selling of various premium and corporate seats.
We must proceed to the next question.
A planning application will hopefully be lodged by the end of the year and we will deal with the matter from there.