New National Stadium on the way, reveals tourist chief

Dublin's top tourism chief says a new National Stadium will definitely be announced soon for the capital.

Frank Magee of Dublin Tourism has revealed the Minister for Sport has promised him that a new arena is close at hand.

He hopes a new stadium would gain the city more big events like this month's Heineken Cup Final - the second time European rugby's most decisive match will have been played here.

Mr Magee said at a European Rugby Cup press conference this afternoon: "I have confirmation directly from Minister O'Donoghue that we're getting a new stadium. He hasn't let me in on the secret of where it's going to be, but he has given me a commitment that we're going to get a new stadium."

The chief executive responsible for Dublin's tourism initiatives continued: "I have absolutely no doubt that when we have such a stadium in Dublin, we're going to attract so many major events.

"We've been very successful in the past with events such as the Tour de France and the Tall Ships, and when we get this stadium, it's going to make such a difference to us to attract events."