Michael Finucane
Ceist:20 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for Education if the Government have made a decision on the provision of a national outdoor stadium.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - National Outdoor Stadium Provision.
Frank Crowley
Ceist:45 Mr. Crowley asked the Minister for Education if a special committee have been established to report on the provision of a national outdoor stadium.
Jimmy Deenihan
Ceist:62 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Education if she has entered into negotiations with the main sporting organisations regarding the provision of a national outdoor stadium; and if the Government have made a decision on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 20, 45 and 62 together. No decision has been made by the Government on the provision of a national outdoor stadium and no special committee has been established.
I am, however, involved in discussions with the main sporting organisations — the GAA, the FAI and the IRFU — on the feasibility of providing a national outdoor stadium by way of adaptation of an existing stadium.
Pending the outcome of the discussions I am not in a position to give any details of the proposals.
Would the Minister confirm a statement he made on the RTE programme "This Week" last July saying he had set up a special committee at that stage to examine the feasibility of setting up a national outdoor sports stadium?
I did not say at any stage that a special committee was looking at the possibility of the provision of a national stadium, that is, other than a committee within my own Department involving officials and so on. However, the committee referred to are the committee involved in crowd safety and crowd control. Therefore, there is no special committee in existence, only the normal procedures that exist.
Is there a time limit to the discussions taking place with the relevant organisations or has any time limit been set for a decision on whether the Government will provide a stadium?
I think everybody accepts that there is a need in the country for a proper national outdoor stadium. Requirements of the international sporting bodies mean that within a few years we will have to provide for all-seat accommodation for various sports. So far as a timescale is concerned I am keen to progress discussions and agreement as quickly as possible but I am sure the Deputy, more than most, will be aware that delicate discussions must take place in an effort to get the three main sporting organisations to accept the principle of the need to utilise one stadium, the reason being that the construction costs of a 30,000 seater stand are of the order of £30 million plus and that, consequently, that stand must be filled on the maximum number of days each year. We have had the initial discussions. Proposals are under consideration and I want to assure the Deputy that the Government are committed to the provision of a modern outdoor stadium with a capacity of the order of 75,000 to 80,000 people and are committed to that provision as quickly as possible.
A final supplementary, please.
In view of the fact that the GAA have already dismissed any possibility of using Croke Park, what stadium has the Minister in mind?
While the GAA have a rule in regard to the use of Croke Park by other organisations, our proposals to the GAA include the possibility of their examining this particular rule with a view to the designation of Croke Park as a national stadium and with a view to the improvement of Croke Park not only by the GAA but by the Government and the other sporting organisations also. As a GAA man I should like to say to another that it is my sincere wish that the GAA would look forward in this respect and realise it would be crazy for them to expend £90 million on a very significant proposal for the development of Croke Park and then fill that stadium only on two occasions in each year. We must have rationalisation. The sporting organisations must look forward. They all need money. For us to contemplate the development of anything other than one stadium, which would be used for all the major games, which have large crowd capacity requirements, would be very foolish expenditure and the Government are not prepared to be involved in such a process.
Deputy Deenihan rose.
Please, Deputy Deenihan, it must be a final question. I am going on to the next question.
You will have to get a GAA woman.
Is the Minister aware that another Minister has a different proposal in relation to an outdoor stadium regarding a green field site?
Undoubtedly many proposals are being put forward in regard to green field sites and other things. I am quite satisfied, and my advice to the Government is very strong, that there can be only one proposal which is both cost effective and sensible. There is no point in providing another 50,000 seater stadium where we would then have three. We need one stadium catering for 80,000 people because our major problem is the difficulty of obtaining tickets for soccer internationals, rugby internationals and all-Ireland finals. I am absolutely convinced there is only one way forward and in that respect I have made proposals to the three organisations. Those discussions are at a delicate stage. I hope the organisations will look forward and that they will accept that the Government are prepared to get involved provided we have rationalisation and cost effectiveness. If we get movement in this respect, and I am confident we will, we can provide a stadium in a very short time.
I will hear Deputy Owen if she will be brief.
Can the Minister confirm whether his Department were involved in recent negotiations to purchase the former lands and buildings belonging to St. Brendan's Hospital, Grangegorman, as a possible site for this new stadium?
My Department have not been involved in any negotiations of that type.