Euro 2008: Ireland/Scotland to announce bid

Ireland and Scotland are today expected to tell the European Football Authority, Uefa, that the countries’ joint bid to host the Euro 2008 football tournament was still on track.

Football Association of Ireland president Milo Corcoran will be joining his treasurer John Delaney in Scotland to sign the papers, announcing the intention to bid.

The bid was rescued from total collapse last night following 11th-hour talks in Dublin to resolve a row over whether to build a new stadium in Ireland.

A split in the Government had threatened to scupper the whole process with a crucial deadline today of whether to go ahead with the bid at all.

Tanaiste Mary Harney had disagreed with plans of Taoiseach Bertie Ahern to build a new stadium in Dublin.

A solution seemed to have been found last night after the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) said it would consider the use of its 80,000 seater Croke Park for some games.

Sport Minister Jim McDaid announced the bid was on track in a statement.

He said: ‘‘The Taoiseach has confirmed to the Scottish First Minister that Ireland is committed to supporting the preparation of a joint bid by the Scottish Football Association and the Football Association of Ireland to host the European Football Championship finals in 2008.

‘‘Fundamental to this task is the planned provision of the necessary infrastructure and support organisation.

‘‘In this context the Government has been in communication with the various relevant organisations, including the GAA to request their support in making available the necessary facilities.

‘‘The GAA has also, in its recently published strategic review, recommended that it should consider allowing the use of Croke Park by other codes, on an occasional basis, as soon as the redevelopment of the stadium is completed and the newly laid pitch has proved capable of accommodating a games programme.’’

Mr McDaid said the GAA planned to raise the issue of the use of Croke Park for other sports at its annual congress in April.

A similar move recently, however, was rejected by members.

However Mr McDaid went on: ‘‘Should these recommendations/motions be approved by its congress, the GAA have confirmed that they will then be in a position to consider the request to accommodate some of the European Championship games.’’

A steering group, already in existence to oversee the bidding process in Ireland, would now be ‘‘exploring a number of options as to how the stadium requirements can be met’’.

Earlier, planning and development manager John Byrne had said the FAI would not take a bid to Scotland which hinged on the cooperation of the GAA.

The Scottish Executive and Scottish Football Association were today expected to confirm that the bid was back on course.

The outcome of the talks in Dublin were welcomed by opposition parties in Scotland.

The FAI last night welcomed the terms of the bid but added it would prefer Dublin to base it on Lansdowne Road and the proposed National Stadium at Abbotstown.

They remained confident that the new stadium would be built following the general election.

Last night’s decision was simply a ‘‘holding mechanism’’ until the situation was clarified, it said.

Mr Corcoran said: ‘‘The preference of the FAI is for the Government to give effect to its statement of January 31 last that a National Stadium is both desirable and feasible.’’

He added: ‘‘If the GAA want to make Croke Park available that is up to them. We do not need them at this stage.’’

Planning and development manager John Byrne added: ‘‘If the GAA decline to make Croke park available at the Congress, it is then incumbent on the Government to make a decision before May 31.

Referring to the Abbotstown plan, he said: ‘‘The Government clearly stated on January 31 that it was both desirable and feasible but because of political complications it has been deferred until after the election.

‘‘We are aware that the election is going to take place early in May. We have until May 31 to submit a final bid.’’

And he added: ‘‘We may be in a situation where we have a choice of two from three if the GAA make a positive decision at their congress in April.’’

Mr Delaney said last night: ‘‘If you describe tonight as a holding mechanism for the next three months then that is a fair assessment of it.

’’We are still committed to Abbotstown and I believe Abbotstown will happen.’’