Plans for E250m stadium submitted

THE FAI and IRFU submitted plans for a new 50,000 all-seater stadium development at Lansdowne Road to be completed by 2008 to the Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism John O’Donoghue yesterday.

The submission indicated that the cost of the proposed development at the Ballsbridge venue would be E250m at present-day prices.

A joint contribution from both sporting organisations would account for approximately a third of the overall cost. It was also outlined that over 85m of the project costs would return to the Exchequer in VAT, PAYE and PRSI returns arising from the initial construction phase.

A joint delegation including chief executive Philip Browne and Noel Murphy of the IRFU and Fran Rooney and John Delaney of the FAI met with the Minister for almost an hour yesterday, emphasising the urgency of the situation as well as the significant economic benefits that would accrue from the larger stadium.

Both organisations also made clear that because of the delay on making a decision on the stadium, other key decisions that they had to make were being put on hold. The Minister has been meeting with both organisations in recent weeks to decide the fate of a new national stadium.

Meanwhile, the campaign to open up Croke Park for major non-GAA sporting events has gathered pace at county conventions across the country.

It is not expected that the delegation will meet with the Minister again before he puts the proposals before Cabinet some time in the New Year. The timetable for completion of the project, if approved, is 2008.