Vol. 574 No. 4
80 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he has considered the report by a company (details supplied) on the Ove Arup report commissioned by the IRFU and the FAI on the provision of a stadium for rugby and soccer; if he has presented his assessment to Cabinet; if a decision will be made on the way forward to provide a new stadium before the end of 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27583/03]
I am aware that there is widespread support in this House, as much as outside of it, for the provision of adequate stadium facilities at national level for Irish field sports. Following an active programme of investment by the Government in sporting facilities nationwide, this remains the one major gap that needs to be addressed. This need is acknowledged by Government and it has been my task as Minister with responsibility for sport to find the most efficient and effective means of delivering additional stadium facilities while at the same time satisfying the needs of the various sporting bodies concerned.
In response to my invitation, the IRFU and the FAI commissioned Arup Consultants to draw up prioritised proposals to meet the need of both organisations for modern stadium accommodation. The Arup report evaluated stadium development options at five locations, including Lansdowne Road, Newlands Cross and Abbotstown. This report has been subjected to detailed examination by the Office of Public Works, my technical advisers on the project. I received the Office of Public Works's comprehensive analysis of the Arup report in mid-September. Since then, in addition to firming up my own conclusions on the issues highlighted in the Arup and Office of Public Works studies, I have had further discussions and consultations with interested parties. In this regard I am conscious that the matter is daily becoming more pressing.
Earlier this year a representative of FIFA who visited Lansdowne Road indicated that FIFA would not be prepared to waive its rules relating to the requirement that Ireland's qualifying matches for the next world cup, which commence in 2004, must be played in an all-seater stadium. There is an urgent imperative that suitable, safe and secure accommodation is provided for these matches and the Government is focused on meeting this need. There are a number of options by which this commitment can be met. As Minister, it has been my task to consider carefully the negative as well as the positive aspects of each of these potential solutions. Not only does a stadium represent a considerable investment of resources but it is a long-term project and therefore must be suitable for both present needs and future requirements. My Department has obtained a thorough assessment of a range of solutions, ensuring that all aspects of the project have been taken into account and that cost estimates are appropriately robust.
With regard to the proposals put forward jointly by the FAI and the IRFU, I am awaiting final input on one or two specific issues which I expect to have by the end of this month. When this material is available, I will embark on the formal process of consultations with my Cabinet colleagues on my proposals for dealing with the acknowledged need of both the FAI and the IRFU for modern stadium accommodation. Until such time as the Government has reached a decision on these proposals, I do not intend to make further policy statements on this matter.
Almost four years ago, in January 2000, the Government announced its intention of providing an 80,000-seat stadium. Surely it is now decision time. On 8 October the Minister told the House he would bring a memorandum to Government seeking a decision soon. Will the Minister define what "soon" means? How soon will this be done? Does the Minister agree that in the absence of a decision on this, both the IRFU and the FAI are losing considerable sums of money?
Again, I acknowledge the support of the principal Opposition parties for the national stadium measure. I have indicated that it is intended to bring a memorandum to the Government soon. Recently, I had a meeting with the IRFU at which it was indicated that the organisation required to make a further submission. I am disposed towards listening to what the IRFU and any other sporting organisation has to say. It is my intention to bring the memorandum to Government at the earliest opportunity. There is little point in my doing so until I have all the required information to hand. At that point the memorandum will be brought before the Government and it is a matter for the Government to make a decision.
I agree with Deputy Deenihan that the IRFU and the FAI are at a substantial revenue loss as a result of the fact that their facilities are, at present, inadequate. I hope the situation can be rectified. I will put the options to the Government and it is a matter for the Government to make a decision in due course.
The Office of Public Works employed the consultants Davis Langdon PKS to evaluate the Arup report, which came out on the side of Lansdowne Road as the ideal location for a stadium. In view of the fact that Davis Langdon PKS were also the consultants for the Abbotstown project, does the Minister not see a conflict of interest in employing consultants to evaluate a proposal which is contradictory to the one they were promoting?
I am not aware of any report which comes down definitively in favour of Lansdowne Road.
The Arup report did so.
I know that Davis Langdon PKS was involved in reporting on the viability of a redeveloped Lansdowne Road as a venue for the new national stadium and that they also had an involvement in reporting on the viability of a new stadium at Abbotstown. The company in question acted as project managers for CSID Limited during the construction of the National Aquatic Centre. That contract ended in July 2003. The company was consulted for its technical expertise by Office of Public Works during its examination of the Arup report, which set out the IRFU-FAI proposals for stadium development. I am confident that the company carried out its work in a professional manner and I have no reason to complain about it.
