A joint delegation from the Scottish FA and the Scottish Executive met Department officials on 17 December last to discuss their proposed joint bid with the FAI to host the European Football Championships 2008 and the requirements set out by UEFA for hosting that tournament. The Scottish delegation subsequently met Bord Fáilte and the Football Association of Ireland – FAI – on the same day. The chief executive of the FAI conveyed to my Department officials at a meeting four days later on 21 December, 2001 his association's strong support for a joint Irish-Scottish bid to host the tournament.
On Friday, 25 January I had a preliminary discussion with the Scottish Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport on this matter and we arranged that officials of our respective Departments should meet without further delay. This meeting took place yesterday 29 January 2002, with officials of the Scottish Executive, and a meeting with the FAI has been arranged for Friday next. In addition, I have arranged to meet Mr. Mike Watson, Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport in the Scottish Executive on 5 February next.
The Government supports in principle the proposed joint bid but there are still issues to be considered before it can proceed, for example, UEFA requirements in terms of stadia, policing, security, accommodation, transport and other infrastructure and services needed in organising this major international tournament. At any rate, football associations must confirm by 28 February to UEFA that they intend submitting a joint bid by 31 May, the closing date for the submission of formal bids.
Meanwhile, the independent consultants, High-Point Rendel, have completed the overview of the cost of the stadium and sports campus Ireland project and the steering group appointed by Government to oversee the work submitted its final report to me in early December. Since then a Cabinet sub-group has been considering the options open to the Government in light of the recommendations of the HPR report. I do not intend to make further comment until the Government has completed its considerations of the report and the implications, if any, for the current plans for the Campus and Stadium Ireland project. No discussions have taken place with the IRFU in regard to the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road.