John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 61 and 63 together.

In January 2004, the Government decided to proceed with the development of a sports campus on the State-owned lands at Abbotstown. Campus and Stadium Ireland Development Limited was requested to put forward proposals for the development of a sports campus. In the preparation of its proposals for the development of a sports campus, Campus and Stadium Ireland Development Limited consulted widely with the major governing bodies of sport, stakeholders and interest groups to devise a development control plan.

I have received the development control plan for a sports campus at Abbotstown from CSID. The plan, which represents phase one of a wider programme for sports facilities, proposes the development of pitches and ancillary accommodation catering mainly for the three major field sports — rugby, soccer and Gaelic games, as well as an indoor sports centre to cater for a range of indoor sports with spectator accommodation. This phase also includes publicly accessible all-weather floodlit synthetic pitches. These facilities would complement the existing water based facilities provided through the National Aquatic Centre.

It is my intention to present proposals to the Government shortly on the development of a sports campus at Abbotstown.

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