FAI shows TD red card over Lansdowne ‘financial trouble’

FAI chief executive John Delaney has shown Fine Gael’s Olivia Mitchell the red card amid her claims that the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road was running into financial trouble.

The Dublin South TD obtained documents, under the Freedom of Information laws, which show the project costs have soared from €365 million to €466m over the past year.

“Olivia Mitchell’s claims are wrong, false, inaccurate and untrue. The original budget for Lansdowne Road did not include additional facilities such as the underground car park, the upgraded catering facilities, the air conditioning. This was agreed afterwards by the FAI and IRFU,” said Mr Delaney.

“The Government was kept informed of that throughout, as were both sporting bodies. We all know the Government contribution is capped at €191m. We’ve known that for quite a period of time and there is no problem with that.

“The FAI has the finances in place to cover all our capital commitments to the new stadium. If we had to provide cheques tomorrow morning with a credit line the ability to pay is there. Full stop. The Government has confirmed this,” he said.

“Adding the VAT, as Olivia Mitchell has done, makes no sense of any kind. Both the FAI and IRFU can reclaim the VAT, so the net cost is €411 million not €466 million. If she had done her research properly she would understand that,” he said.

He also rejected claims that ISG, the company chosen by the FAI to sell premium seat and corporate packages, had pulled out.

“ISG have not, I repeat, not pulled out of any negotiations, and I repeat again, never did,” he said.