Bernard Allen
Ceist:40 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation his views on the development of a national sports stadium. [19897/99]
Priority Questions. - National Sports Stadium.
On 13 October 1998, the Government 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 feasibility study and to make recommendations based on the findings of the study.
The steering committee is chaired by Mr. Dermot Keogh and includes representatives from major sporting organisations, including the FAI, the GAA and the IRFU as well as representatives from the private sector and a number of Government Departments. Through this process, the major sporting organisations are in a position to bring their own perspectives to bear.
Following a tendering process carried out under EU procurement directives and Government contracts procedures, a consortium of consultants led by PricewaterhouseCoopers was appointed to conduct the feasibility study. The study examined a range of issues relevant to the feasibility of developing and operating an 80,000 seat stadium, including the economic, social and other benefits that can be expected to be derived, analysed the potential demand for use of the facilities from various sporting, entertainment and other commercial categories and possible locations for the stadium.
I understand the feasibility study has recently been completed and has been presented to the Stadium Steering Committee and that it will be brought to Government for consideration and decision at an early date.
This matter was the subject of a number of questions put to the Taoiseach earlier today by my party leader, Deputy John Bruton. I am amazed that 11 teams of consultants were hired at a cost of £400,000 to prepare this report at a time when the FAI is going ahead with its stadium and Croke Park is continuing with its project. I want to ask the Minister about the offer, bribe or threat made to the FAI that he would make £11 million available if it withdrew its proposal for the stadium in Dublin west. Will he consider scrapping his madcap idea of providing a £200 million white elephant in Abbotstown and making those resources available to the national bodies for local and regional development of sports infrastructure? What is the status of the offer – which I classify as a threat – that they will get the money if they back down, but that they will not get the money if they do not?
I suppose the Deputy is feeling the heat from the previous Administration's lack of commitment to sport. There has never been, in the history of the State—
Answer the question.
Answer the question.
—the political will to go ahead with major sporting infrastructure. We are not afraid to undertake studies which will ensure that taxpayers' money is well spent.
The Minister will be known as the Minister for studies and consultants' reports.
As regards the issue of the £11 million bribe, I met a deputation from the FAI. I love soccer, just as I love all other sports, as does the Deputy. We are very fortunate that the Taoiseach and the Minister for Finance also love sport. I will explain the situation to the Deputy. Many of us would agree that our national soccer infrastructure is in quite a dilapidated condition. In other countries one sees families bringing children to matches on Sundays. I would love to see that happening in this country, where people could spend a day at a soccer match, just as it used to be. Unfortunately, however, the national infrastructure is very dilapidated. I want to expedite change in that area as soon as possible.
When I met the FAI, it gave me a list which included a requirement of £11 million to bring a number of clubs – perhaps ten – up to standard. A total of £14 million was given out this year. We estimated that to get our soccer clubs up to standard would possibly take 20 years. I told soccer clubs that we are going ahead with the national stadium and that we also need to bring this up to standard. In other words, I more or less asked them which they would prioritise. I said I would prioritise the national infrastructure – I have no hesitation in saying that. However, that does not stop me from continuing to give as much money as I can to the FAI clubs, as I did with Bohemians, Shelbourne, St. Pat's and others.
There is no point in people trying to drive a wedge between me and my friends in the FAI, because it will not rub off. I have very good friends in the FAI. I will take this opportunity to say how desperately Tony O'Neill, who passed away last week, will be missed.
Hear, hear.
He was another very good friend of mine. On any occasion I can, I have discussions with my colleagues in the FAI. The Government will continue to try to provide an up-to-date state-of-the-art infrastructure for sports, whether at local, national or international level.
After that speech—
We must move on to Question No. 41. The time for Question No. 40 has been exhausted.
The Minister used up all the time.