John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)

As the House is aware, in January 2004 the Government agreed, after considering a number of options, to provide funding of €191 million to the joint IRFU-FAI project for the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road stadium. Lansdowne Road Stadium Development Company, the company charged with the delivery of the project, has brought the design of the project to the planning stage and submitted a planning application for the project on 12 January 2006. At this stage, it is not possible to estimate the time required to complete the planning process or the decision of the planning authorities. It is clear that a successful outcome to the planning process is required to enable the proposed development to proceed.

As Deputies will be aware, the Lansdowne Road site has long been associated with sport because the first rugby international played there was in 1878. The new design for the stadium has been created in consultation with the different stakeholder groups that will be involved in and impacted on by the stadium. The concerns of residents have been taken into account in the design of the facility. The stadium is on four levels on three sides but sweeps down to one level at the north end to minimise the impact on those residents living in closest proximity to the stadium. The design also makes wide use of translucent and reflective materials, designed to minimise negative impact on the local area.

The increase in overall capacity of the stadium is small in that the current capacity is 49,000, comprising 24,000 seats and 25,000 standing spaces, whereas the new stadium will have a capacity of 50,000, all seated, which will bring significant benefits in terms of safety and comfort. The design proposed will deliver a building of iconic status and will ensure that the IRFU and the FAI can use the site to its maximum potential. It will also provide improvements in urban design and landscaping in the area, including the improved Dodder walk and safer access to the DART facilities serving the stadium.

The planning process must now take its course. The project has so far proceeded on schedule and I am confident that the end of 2009 will see the completion of the redeveloped Lansdowne stadium, which will cater for the international rugby and soccer fixtures of the IRFU and the FAI. In the event that the planning process does not authorise the redevelopment of the Lansdowne Road stadium into a modern all-seated stadium accommodating 50,000, a scenario which is not countenanced, there are no plans to provide stadium facilities of the type required by soccer and rugby authorities at an alternative location.

See this speech in context