National Stadium ‘will cost taxpayer €235m’

THE Government was told yesterday it could have a National Stadium for as little as €235 million of taxpayers’ money, under a plan put forward by the rugby and football authorities.

Sports Minister John O’Donoghue said he was convinced of the need for a National Stadium in the country, but he has yet to see a full copy of the consultants’ report commissioned by the Irish Rugby Football Union and Football Association of Ireland.

Redeveloping Lansdowne Road would cost just over €350m and developing a stadium at Abbotstown would cost almost €400m, according to the report summary.