Ahern: National stadium will go ahead

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has re-iterated his determination that a full campus stadium project will go ahead.

Speaking at the opening of an equine centre in Ballyfermot, Mr Ahern said: ‘‘I believe that this country does require full sports facilities and that it does require not only a stadium but a campus for the development of sports in the future.’’

He said the idea of Croke Park becoming the national stadium was impractical.

‘‘If people think that you can play soccer and rugby, on an ongoing basis, and gaelic football and hurling and ladies football and camogie all on one pitch then I think you have to be a bit of a nitwit.

‘‘To be quite honest you really were ashamed last week playing the USA in the middle of a bog (at Lansdowne Road).

"We need the facilities. We have to do it in a cost-effective way - we do not have a billion euro to spend,’’ he said.

Asked if he was intimidated by the determination of the Progressive Democrats, as outlined in their election manifesto, he added: ‘‘My manifesto will be equally categorical.’’