Taoiseach apologises for Croke Park donation

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has admitted to the Dail that there were "breakdowns in communications" over the proposed £60 million grant to the GAA for Croke Park.

Following furious Opposition questions, Mr Ahern apologised, saying that the issue of other sports in Croke Park would be raised with the GAA.

The GAA said lengthy talks in relation to £60 million funding for Croke Park had never involved the use of the stadium for international sports.

They added that negotiations over a number of weeks had focused on holding the Special Olympics at Croke Park and an agreement by the GAA to play a number of top Championship matches up to the semi-finals in Stadium Ireland each season.

Speaking in Donegal the Tánaiste Ms Harney said the grant promised by Mr Ahern was "still up for negotiation".