Greens slam PDs stance on Stadium Ireland

The Green Party has launched a scathing attack on the Progressive Democrats election promises, accusing them of political opportunism over the national stadium project.

Yesterday, the PDs’ candidate in Dublin south-east, Michael McDowell, said he will be seeking a mandate to oppose the stadium plans.

He said the cost of the project is not justified while investment in areas like health and education remains a necessity.

However, Green TD John Gormley said Mr McDowell could quickly drop his objections if the PDs and Fianna Fail made up the next Government.

“Clearly it’s about this election, it’s about trying to get back votes somehow,” he said. “He’s running a fairly expensive campaign, maybe it’s an act of political desperation or whatever, but the fact is that it is cynical, it’s opportunism and it’s totally hypocritical.”

Yesterday, Mr McDowell described Bertie Ahern’s proposed stadium as “a Ceaucescu-era Olympic campus” and said its €1bn price tag would affect Ireland’s capacity to invest in health, education and local sports.

PD leader Mary Harney reiterated this position today and said the national stadium is not a priority for her party.

“There are other priorities like investment in education and health, investment in sporting facilities at a local level,” she said.

“This is what concerns people. What matters is what the priorities are and we don’t believe it’s a priority to spend €1bn on the Abbotstown project.”