Rooney calls for ‘positive decision’ on new stadium

FAI chief executive, Fran Rooney, yesterday called on the Cabinet to make a “positive decision” today on the joint proposal from the FAI and the IRFU for the €250m re-development of Lansdowne Road.

The Cabinet will debate two proposals at Government Buildings the joint plan as drawn up by the sports associations for a 50,000 seat stadium on the footprint of the existing structure at Lansdowne, and a plan to build a new 65,000 capacity stadium on a green-field site in Abbotstown. "A positive decision on the stadium would give the Association a platform for moving forward," said Mr Rooney.

"The delay in making a decision is influencing many things, not least our plan on establishing a coaching centre and a new administrative headquarters.