Vol. 577 No. 3
397 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if the total cost of consultants' reports to date regarding the provision of a national stadium have amounted to ?18 million; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31110/03]
I wish to correct the very misleading impression conveyed in the Deputy's question that expenditure of such magnitude has been involved in relation to the national stadium. In fact, the total expenditure on consultants' reports to date has been €883,700, which was made up of an expenditure of €492,700 on the feasibility study – A Stadium for the New Century – commissioned in 1998 and €391,000 in 2001 for the High-Point Rendel report. In addition a sum of about €3 million has been spent on planning, site survey work, preparation and development of the whole campus site at Abbotstown, including the site for the national aquatic centre.
398 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if among the expressions of interest which he received from the private sector there was an inclusion of a proposal to provide a national stadium free of charge for the Government if the necessary infrastructure was put in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31151/03]
In September 2002 the Government sought expressions of interest from the private sector for the provision of an all seater stadium, with a capacity of at least 65,000 spectators, which would become the venue for major field games. Among the 23 expressions of interest received in October 2002 was a proposal from a consortium which outlined a turnkey proposal for the construction and operation of a stadium and arena at Abbotstown specifically for football and rugby use on the basis that a serviced site with the necessary transport infrastructure would be provided. However, no detailed financial proposals were provided.
The expression of interest initiative was intended to assist the Government in establishing what potential, if any, existed in the private sector for investment in a stadium. The information gathered as a result of this initiative will inform the Minister's recommendation to Government when he puts forward options to the Government early next year on meeting stadium needs.
