Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 64: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the timetable for the proposed redevelopment of Lansdowne Road, following the appointment of the design team and project management team; if he has satisfied himself that he has the support of Government for this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15016/05]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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On 25 April I announced that the Lansdowne Road Stadium Development Company awarded the design and project management contracts for the stadium, moving the development plan for the new Lansdowne Road stadium to a new phase. The contracts were awarded following tender competitions, advertised internationally through the European Journal as well as in Ireland.

The design contract has been awarded to a consortium led by HOK Sports, one of the world's largest sport architectural practices. The winning consortium also includes Irish architects Scott Tallon Walker. The contract for project management services has been awarded to a consortium led by Project Management Ltd., one of Ireland's largest specialist technical consultancy and project management firms.

The Lansdowne Road Stadium Development Company has begun the preparatory work leading to a submission for planning application with the intention to lodge a planning application in December of this year, in accordance with the timetable previously announced. The newly appointed design team has begun to develop a final detailed design for the new stadium. It is expected that 'enabling works' will happen during 2006 and the main construction work will commence in 2007 with an estimated building time of 29 months.

I reaffirm the Government's commitment to the project and its decision to provide €191 million towards the cost of the project, which is estimated to cost €292 million.

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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The Minister received widespread political support when he announced that the project was to go ahead. The drawback was that the Taoiseach responded by expressing doubts as to whether the project would proceed. That put an obvious slant on the ministerial announcement and created concern about the project. Has the Minister had a meeting with the Taoiseach since that statement? Was it a personal statement by the Taoiseach which did not reflect the position of the Minister? It seemed to put a stint upon what was a major announcement which was discussed on many occasions during Question Time and was raised by some political parties. The Taoiseach's statement was a drawback, cast doubt over the project and has initiated something for objectors who see something in the view expressed by him.

Have there been discussions with the Taoiseach? Is everyone in the same boat regarding this project and ensuring its success? The sports organisations have been given some leeway with the use of Croke Park during development of Lansdowne Road. Are we all of one mind to ensure this project will be completed?

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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Deputy Wall asks if we are in the same boat. We are all aboard, and sailing. There is no doubt the project has the support of the Taoiseach and the Government. If it did not we could not proceed with it. It is sometimes forgotten that nobody mentioned a stadium until the Taoiseach said we required a stadium. I would like to acknowledge the pivotal role he has played. He expressed a view that there would be planning objections and he wondered how these would be resolved. Nobody knows what will happen in that regard. Subsequently the Taoiseach made it clear that he supported the project. It was not necessary for me to meet him in that regard. If he did not I would not be talking about it in the House. I appreciate the support of Deputies Wall and Deenihan and everybody else.