John Deasy
Question:38 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the progress made to date with regard to the Lansdowne Road stadium refurbishment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8260/06]
View answerWednesday, 1 March 2006
Questions (25, 26, 27)
Ruairí Quinn
Question:51 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if his attention has been drawn to recent developments regarding the proposed redevelopment of Lansdowne Road, specifically concerning the dispute between Wanderers RFC and the IRFU regarding the demolitions and relocation of their pavilion during the construction of the new stadium; if he has met the IRFU to discuss this or any other matter regarding such potential difficulties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8187/06]
View answer
Pádraic McCormack
Question:53 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the progress regarding the Lansdowne Road stadium refurbishment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8264/06]
View answerOral answers (5 contributions)
I propose to take Questions Nos. 38, 51 and 53 together.
I refer the Deputies to my reply to a priority question earlier today about the progress on the Lansdowne Road stadium refurbishment project. I am aware of the issues in the dispute between the Irish Rugby Football Union and Wanderers Football Club, and that discussions have been taking place between the parties.
I have been informed by the IRFU that it has made what it considers a very fair and reasonable offer to the Wanderers club. That included provision for a replacement clubhouse within the grounds, a grant to improve the Wanderers clubhouse on Merrion Road, financial compensation for the loss of income over the period of reconstruction, additional tickets for future matches and an extension of the current licence agreement beyond 2007 for the lifespan of the new stadium.
Those are issues which, in the final analysis, must be resolved by the parties directly involved and I have no intention of intervening directly or indirectly in the dispute.
However, I am disappointed that this matter should have been permitted to enter the public domain at a time of particular sensitivity for the planning of the new stadium.
I am sure the Minister would agree that the company he has appointed to provide the new stadium should have reached agreement with Wanderers Football Club before it started planning. That would be a matter of courtesy. As we all recognise in the House, Wanderers is one of the oldest rugby clubs in Ireland. Its clubhouse is a feature of Lansdowne Road and a major attraction. It is very much part of the atmosphere and ambience of the stadium. It is obvious that it would demand guarantees regarding its future accommodation within the new stadium.
Even at this late stage, perhaps the Minister might insist that the company, which reports to him, ensure that a resolution is agreed between the board of Wanderers and the company rather than simply the IRFU. It is the company that is charged with providing the new stadium. The agreement must be reached as soon as possible. If it is a matter of ticket guarantees, let the issue be resolved, as I am sure it can be.
This stadium debacle has been going on for too long and the last thing we want is that the main tenant of the stadium, Wanderers, which has been there since 1922, even before the IRFU, should be embroiled in a planning permission battle with the company that could result in the question going to An Bord Pleanála. I would obviously be very concerned at any objection from Wanderers, perhaps even more so than at other objections. It is very important that this is resolved as soon as possible. Perhaps the Minister will request that the company ensure it happens.
Lansdowne Road is the oldest rugby stadium in the world, and Wanderers is one of the oldest, if not the oldest, of rugby clubs in Ireland.
It is the fourth oldest.
It is particularly sad that agreement could not be reached between the IRFU and Wanderers, given the history of rugby in Ireland and the inextricable link between Wanderers and the IRFU. In that context, it is important to point out that the IRFU has been engaged in talks with Wanderers for over 14 months. The IRFU put before Wanderers what it considered a very fair offer. I have outlined what that offer comprises. I sincerely hope that differences can be resolved. The last thing that Lansdowne Road requires at present is a civil war.
Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate.