Vol. 497 No. 5
42 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation when the feasibility study regarding a possible national stadium will be completed; if it is intended to publish the study; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25557/98]
46 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if he has met the GAA authorities to discuss the possible use of Croke Park as a multi-functional national stadium taking into consideration the GAA's investment and rights to control activities there. [25633/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 42 and 46 together.
On a point of order, Acting Chairman, the Minister is trying to make a liar of me. Subhead D4 of his own Estimate for next Thursday indicates that £5 million is being diverted to tourism. The Minister is trying to mislead the House.
We have finished that question.
The Government has agreed to the commissioning of a feasibility study for the development of a national stadium and to the establishment of a stadium steering committee to conduct the study and make recommendations based on its findings. I have not met the GAA to discuss possible uses of Croke Park as a multi-functional national stadium. However, the Government's concept for the stadium is for a state-of-the-art facility capable of accommodating all key sports played on the island, including Gaelic games, and the GAA is, accordingly, represented on the steering committee, where it will have full opportunity to make its views on the matter known.
The feasibility study will address the issues necessary for the Government to make an early decision on all aspects of a new stadium. The steering committee is chaired by Mr. Derek Keogh, former chief executive of Aer Rianta, and includes representatives of other major sporting organisations, including the FAI and the IRFU, as well as representatives from the private sector and a number of Departments. The committee will welcome inputs from all interested sporting bodies. It is the Government's clear intention that the proposed stadium will cater for as many uses as possible.
A process to select experts to carry out the feasibility study is under way and it is expected that the finalised study will be available for detailed consideration by the Government by mid-1999. No decision has yet been taken by Government on whether the study will eventually be published.
Would it not be reasonable to mention the unmentionable and grasp the nettle as regards Croke Park? Taking into consideration the rights of the GAA and its investment in Croke Park, surely it would make common sense to hold realistic discussions with the authorities in Croke Park about the future use of the stadium? Surely Croke Park should be considered as a multi-functional stadium at a time when the Government has set up a group to assess the feasibility of another stadium? At a time when sports facilities are crying out for investment, surely there should be mature discussions on a common sense approach?
The feasibility study will incorporate all these aspects. That is why it has been commissioned.
The Minister is talking about another stadium.
The steering committee has been set up to discuss these issues. It is not the function of the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation to tell national governing bodies what to do. These bodies have been in existence for many years and require direction. However, it is not up to the Minister to tell them how to run their sports.
I did not say the Minister should tell them what to do.
That is what the Deputy is indicating. It is not up to me to tell them what to do. The Deputy will understand this is one of the reasons the feasibility study has been set up and why we are trying to get logical answers to all questions, such a those raised by the Deputy.
Who are the private sector representatives on the steering committee? How much has been set aside by the Government for the feasibility study? How much public money has been invested in Croke Park? Why is the Minister not prepared to give a commitment that a study, paid for by the taxpayer and ordered by the Government, will be made public? There are vested interests involved in the steering group who may argue against their own facilities being used for this purpose. Surely we are entitled to know the basis on which the Government will make its decision?
The members of the committee are Derek Keogh, William Attley, Brendan Foster, who is private, Phil Furlong, Tony Hanahoe, Bernard O'Byrne, Tom Kiernan, Maeve Kyle, Syd Millar, Liam Mulvihill, Julie O'Neill, John Power, Paddy Teahon, John Treacy, Michael Walsh and Donagh Morgan, secretary. The Government has made £500,000 available for the feasibility study. A decision on whether the report will be made public will be made when it becomes available. I cannot say how much public money is being invested in Croke Park but I will be happy to get that information for the Deputy.
Does the Minister think £500,000 an extraordinarily large amount of money to spend on a feasability study and will tenders be sought for it?
Do the terms of reference include any examination of the possible future use of Croke Park? What is the role of Mr. Michael Walsh and what is his background? Can the Minister identify members of the feasibility study group who have interests in other sporting organisations and clubs?
I have named the members of the steering committee. The Deputy is at liberty to investigate their CVs if he wishes. It is not necessary that I should describe the backgrounds of individuals in the House. The members of the steering committee have experience of and an interest in this area. The steering committee could be described as high powered and will examine the question of a national stadium.
The amount to be spent on the feasibility study is large. Up to £500,000 is being made available because the project is a major one and that amount may be required. A very large number of organisations is involved, the question was first mooted in 1988 and it may require that amount to carry out a proper feasibility study.
Is the Government or the steering committee preparing terms of reference for the feasability study? If it is the steering committee, will the Government give it guidance on the matter? Given that public money is being spent on it, will the Minister undertake to publish the feasibility study when it is completed?
I repeat the question to which I did not get an answer. Will the terms of reference include an examination of the possible use of Croke Park as a multi-functional stadium and of the rights of the Gaelic Athletic Association, the owner of Croke Park? Will the Minister identify the member of the committee whom I named. I am not aware of that man's background. The Minister must know of it since he appointed him to the steering committee?
I have given the House the names of the members of the steering committee. I do not have CVs for its individual members but I am sure they are easily available to the Deputy.
The future use of Croke Park is a matter for the GAA. I have no intention of discussing that matter.
Is the question in the terms of reference?
The feasibility study will address the issues necessary for the Government to make an early decision on all aspects of a new stadium including recommendations for the design of the playing and performing area to allow it to be adapted to meet the requirements of various users, an assessment of the potential income from the stadium, the likely cost of the design, construction, fit-out and on—going management of the stadium and identification of a site sufficiently large to allow the creation of a venue where other related development can take place with regard to road, rail and airport access.
Is the Minister considering a second site?
