National stadium plans 'in doubt'

Plans for a new national stadium were thrown into doubt tonight as a fresh split within the coalition government emerged.

Amid recent public spending cutbacks, the Progressive Democrats suggested that the investment of millions of euro in a new stadium would be imprudent.

The row, between the PDs Fianna Fail could threaten the joint bid between Scotland and Ireland to host the 2008 European soccer championships.

A delegation from Uefa – European football’s governing body – is set to visit Dublin next weekend as part of the bid process to assess the Irish facilities.

The new stadium is seen as vital for the success of the bid, under which Scotland will provide six stadiums and Ireland two.

Mary Harney said: “There is a tight budgetary situation – a very different budgetary situation from a number of months ago and we have to bear that in mind.

“We have to have appropriate priorities and certainly for me, at the moment, the priority would have to be the health service and a number of other areas like education and employment.”

However, she added: “In the past the Taoiseach and I have worked very well together and we have resolved differences in the spirit of co-operation and partnership.”

Mr Ahern denied there was a Government split, and while he admitted there was “a great deal to be discussed” he added: “We have to work our way through it, but we will.”

Lansdowne Road would undergo a massive overhaul if the Scottish-Irish bid was successful and Ms Harney suggested that the 80,000-capacity Croke Park, in the north of the city, could be used as the second venue for the tournament.

But the GAA is bitterly opposed to any sport other than gaelic games being played at the stadium – and re-affirmed its position in a vote at its last AGM.