Govt gives green light to Campus Ireland

Political parties are this morning digesting last night’s decision by the Government to give the green light for the proposed national sports stadium.

The decision followed the completion of an independent report into the cost of the project in Abbotstown, west Dublin. The High Point Rendell report said the proposed 80,000-seater stadium would cost the Irish taxpayer €1.1bn, €200m more than the Government had estimated.

The project is expected to be scaled down because of concerns about the cost, but ministers have not yet revealed details on the size of the stadium, what facilities will be included and how long it will take to construct.

A spokesman for the Tanaiste, Mary Harney said her concerns about the cost of the project were vindicated by the report. Sports Minister Jim McDaid said he does not believe there will be any difficulties with the Progressive Democrats over the size of the stadium.

The FAI’s Brendan Menton said the decision to go ahead with the plan will help Ireland’s joint bid to host the 2008 European Championships and the Dublin International Sports Council said Campus Ireland will benefit the country enormously over the next ten decades.