Vol. 562 No. 2
116 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his views on whether a redeveloped Lansdowne Road would make a suitable national stadium; the content and conclusions of discussions he has had with the IRFU and the FAI in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5605/03]
128 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his policy in regard to the provision of stadia to meet identified and ongoing sporting and recreational requirements throughout the country; the sporting organisations expected to be facilitated in any such plan; the likely financial costs; when he expects any such stadium to be completed or operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5673/03]
134 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number of locations for the development of a new national stadium that are being considered by the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5601/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 116, 128 and 134 together.
I outlined in my response to Priority Questions Nos. 2 and 3 the position in regard to the provision of stadia to meet the needs of the major field sports, in particular soccer and rugby where there is an urgent need to provide modern all-seat stadium accommodation. In the absence of such facilities, the Football Association of Ireland will be faced with a major dilemma next year in meeting the requirements of FIFA for all-seat stadia for our home fixtures in the qualifying competition for the 2006 World Cup Finals. The Irish Rugby Football Union, for its part, needs to expand and upgrade capacity for international rugby fixtures in order to fund the development of the game of rugby in Ireland.
I recently met representatives of the FAI and the IRFU and have asked them to consider all the options open to them for meeting their stadium requirements and to submit these proposals to me in that regard within a month.
I will report to the Government in the near future on the evaluation of the expressions of interest received in procuring a privately financed stadium at Abbotstown. I will incorporate in that report my assessment of whatever proposal is tabled by the FAI and IRFU.
With regard to the development of sports facilities throughout the country, the Government continues to provide funding for the development of sporting facilities under the sports capital programme and I will announce the 2003 programme in March. As in previous years, the funding of facilities under the sports capital programme will be available to benefit suitable projects for a wide range of sporting activities throughout the country.
During a previous Question Time, the Minister stated that Abbotstown was still the preferred site. Having spoken to the IRFU and the FAI and having had an overview of the 23 submissions on Abbotstown, is Abbotstown still the Minister's preferred site and not Ringsend, Lansdowne Road or Clondalkin?
The reason I favour Abbotstown is that the National Aquatics Centre is located there. It would be possible to have a stadium there and future Governments, even future generations, might decide to add on to the campus in such a way so that there would be facilities for various sports and that Ireland could ultimately bid successfully for a major sporting event. However, my overriding concern at this point is to try to provide a stadium. As I have outlined on a number occasions, I recognise the FAI and IRFU are in an untenable position. I am willing to look at all options with a view to providing a stadium. From a visionary perspective, Abbotstown is my preferred choice because it would give an opportunity to future generations and Governments to develop a campus capable of attracting a major international sporting event. I am nothing if not a pragmatist and my overriding concern is to try to see if we can provide a stadium.
Will the Minister be swayed by the choice of the IRFU and the FAI? If Lansdowne Road, which would be the choice of the IRFU, is not suitable and it proposes a site at Newlands Cross, would the Minister agree to that? The Minister referred to decisions on national lottery grants in March. Application forms for this year are not available yet. Will he clarify when they will be available and when he will make decisions on them?
The Deputy's feet are firmly on the political ground and that is why he has had such longevity in politics. He is correct that the forms have not yet issued. They will be available in March and we will roll out the plan then. In other words, advertisements will be placed in newspapers outlining the criteria for applications and so on and they will be considered in the usual way.
I hope Lansdowne Road will prove suitable but if it does not and the IRFU's preferred location is Newlands Cross because it is concerned about the location of Abbotstown, will the Minister accept that choice given that his preference is for Abbotstown?
My overriding concern is to provide a stadium. The decision on its location is a matter solely for the Government. I cannot take that decision and the IRFU and the FAI certainly cannot take it if the State is to be involved. I gave the organisations a timeframe within which they are to come back to me and, when they have done so, I will formulate a report to be put to Government and I will ask the Government to make up its mind.
Will the Minister clarify the extent of his discussions with the FAI, the IRFU and the GAA regarding the provision and location of an optimum number of stadia and the timescale involved? Has he reached agreement with them on his plan for the future?
Agreement has not been reached. We have had preliminary discussions, which have been relatively fruitful. I am waiting to hear from the IRFU and the FAI regarding their preferences on location. There is general agreement that the optimum capacity would be 65,000. The FAI and the IRFU are willing to put up funding, which would be raised through the advance sales of tickets to the corporate sector. I am waiting to hear from them and when I do, I will put a report before Government that will incorporate everything that has been submitted, including the expressions of interest.
I quote from the Minister in Sunday's newspaper article. When will he bring the matter to a closure?
At the earliest opportunity.
Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate.
