Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 33: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if plans to build a national stadium in Dublin are contingent on planning permission to proceed with the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road stadium; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8593/06]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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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.

Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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I thank the Minister for his reply. Given that many members of the GAA, particularly in clubs around the country, had reservations initially regarding the opening of Croke Park to the IRFU and the FAI, and given that it appears we are locked into a long planning process that may lead to court action, as has been indicated, and the consequent possibility that the stadium as envisaged may not be developed, does the Minister not consider it appropriate to have a plan B? Does he believe the Cabinet members should debate this, particularly because the issue was originally quite divisive among them and considering that the idea, primarily of Fianna Fáil, to proceed with a national stadium was scuppered by the Progressive Democrats? Will the Minister consider putting a plan B in place so this matter does not become divisive? It would be ridiculous if we had to restart the process of developing a national stadium in 2009, or perhaps later, owing to probable action in the courts on foot of sufficient local opposition. If the national stadium in question does not materialise, there should be an alternative option on the table.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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The Government decided unanimously to construct the new stadium at Lansdowne Road — that much is clear — and it has committed €191 million in this regard. The GAA congress agreed to allow international home rugby and soccer games to be played at its stadium in Croke Park while the Lansdowne Road stadium is being redeveloped, but not beyond its development.

On the question of there being a plan B, the reality is that we have allocated the funding, a company has been set up to redevelop Lansdowne Road and the planning application has been lodged. We met all our deadlines to date or were very close to meeting them and I have no reason to believe there will be any difference on this occasion. It is obvious that the entire project depends on our obtaining planning permission. Nobody can say whether it will be granted but it is relevant to state there is a stadium at Lansdowne Road, as everyone knows. When the proposed new stadium has been constructed, it will be a modern state-of-the-art stadium of which Ireland can be proud. Deputy Ferris asked whether there is a plan B — there is no plan B at the present time. If the redevelopment of the Lansdowne Road stadium does not proceed, consideration will have to be given to an alternative. It may well be that the alternative will be a return to Abbotstown or somewhere else. It would be entirely negative and self-defeating of me to draw up a plan B at this point. I do not think I should do that because it would be the height of pessimism. I remain positive about the planning application.

Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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The Minister's response has indicated that there is a distinct possibility — perhaps it is more than a possibility — that the agreement originally reached with the co-operation of the GAA means that Croke Park will be open to the IRFU and the FAI for the foreseeable future, perhaps much later than 2009. I asked the Minister about alternative arrangements because it is necessary for a plan B to be put in place at Government level, if not publicly, if we are to meet the requirements of the agreement that was worked out with the GAA, both politically and within the sporting bodies.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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No agreement was worked out with the GAA in respect of the opening of Croke Park. When I delivered the final tranche of €40 million to the GAA authorities, it was given with no conditions attached. I made it clear at the time and I do so again now that any decision on the opening of Croke Park for soccer, rugby or any other game is entirely a matter for the GAA. It will continue to be entirely a matter for the GAA, which responded with a great deal of magnanimity and generosity. It is heartening that the GAA's central council honoured the integrity of the decision made by the congress of the GAA. I understand that it was decided to allow other sports to be played in Croke Park only for the duration of the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road. A new decision of the GAA congress would be needed to change that, which would be a matter for another day. In the meantime, it is full steam ahead with Lansdowne Road, as far I am concerned.