John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)

The IRFU has met with the residents of the areas around Lansdowne Road a number of times, who are well aware of the development proposals. A consultative forum with an independent chairman, Mr. Dermot Egan, has been established through Dublin City Council to act as a channel through which the residents' anxieties and fears can be made known, dealt with and resolved where possible. In order to minimise the impact on those residents living in close proximity to the new structure, the design is at four levels on three sides and one on a fourth.

The Lansdowne Road development will be subject to the rigours of the planning process and the rights of all those affected by it will be protected. We have engaged in so far as was possible with the residents through the IRFU and other means. At this point, a new stadium with world class facilities that looks magnificent and has been praised by leading environmentalists, such as Mr. Frank McDonald, is far more preferable to a concrete jungle, which might be the alternative were the stadium to move out of Lansdowne Road. I encourage residents to consider this very carefully. It is a democracy and people are entitled to do as they wish. Deputy Deenihan knows that there is very little he or I could do about it.

In respect of the cost of the stadium, the IRFU and FAI will share the balance of the cost between them. I cannot recall the exact proportion. The State's contribution will be €191 million and the entire cost will be €365 million. I am assured by both the FAI and IRFU that they are confident and quite positive that they will be in positions to raise the necessary funds through advance selling of various premium and corporate seats.

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