Dáil debates

Wednesday, 28 March 2007

Priority Questions

Lansdowne Road Stadium.

1:00 pm

Photo of Jack WallJack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 62: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his views on the decision of An Bord Pleanála to grant planning permission for the new Lansdowne Road stadium; the timetable for the construction of the new stadium; his views on whether it will be completed by the 2009 target date; if he anticipates further challenges, legal or otherwise, to be made in objection to the construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11960/07]

Photo of John O'DonoghueJohn O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

As the House is aware, in January 2004 the Government agreed to provide funding of €191 million towards the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road stadium as a 50,000 capacity all-seater state-of-the-art facility. The recent decision by An Bord Pleanála to grant permission for the project cleared the way for the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road to commence.

This is an enormously important decision for sport in Ireland. The new Lansdowne Road stadium will meet the needs of the IRFU and the FAI for hosting rugby and soccer matches, while also providing a platform to showcase the talent of our international teams to the world. I congratulate the IRFU, the FAI and the Lansdowne Road Stadium Development Company for their vision, painstaking preparatory work and commitment to ensuring the proposed facility reached the present milestone. I am informed by the Lansdowne Road Stadium Development Company that it envisages construction getting under way this May, all going well, and with an estimated construction period of 29 months the facility should be ready in late 2009 or early 2010.

Last week's decision also means we can begin to engage seriously with UEFA on its announcement last year that it was prepared to host either a Champions League or UEFA Cup final in the stadium when completed. The development of Lansdowne Road is hugely significant in economic terms and the new stadium will undoubtedly be a valuable asset in attracting an increased number of supporters and visitors to Dublin when major games are played. Reports commissioned by the IRFU estimated that a rugby international against England could generate in the region of €52 million for the economy.

With regard to the Deputy's reference to possible further challenges, legal or otherwise, Lansdowne Road Stadium Development Company engaged in a sustained consultative process with local residents and other bodies in the course of which it worked hard to fully understand and take on board real concerns to the greatest extent possible. I am confident this positive framework of consultation and constructive engagement will continue as the project moves into the construction and completion phases.

In concluding my response to these questions I would like to reflect for one moment on the cultural significance of what is about to commence at Lansdowne Road. The stadium has been part of Dublin history for 135 years, beginning in 1872 as a multi-sports venue for athletics, cricket, croquet, football, archery and lawn tennis and a little later hosting its first international rugby fixture in 1878. Many great sporting moments are associated with the stadium and successive generations of Dubliners and others have their own particular memories of great victories and dramatic defeats, whether in international rugby, soccer or the many other sports events held there throughout the decades. It is a matter of great satisfaction that this element of Dublin has survived from the heyday of Charles Stewart Parnell and will host fixtures that will enthrall Irish sports fans long into the 21st century.

Photo of Jimmy DeenihanJimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

It is amazing that the Taoiseach wanted to move it from there.

Photo of Jack WallJack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I thank the Minister for his documentative reply. This side of the House agrees with and fully supports the development of Lansdowne Road. I have a number of questions and would appreciate it if the Minister answered them. In recent days we saw the findings of a number of surveys which stated alcohol was associated with sport to too high a degree. The new Lansdowne Road stadium will have a total of 2,410 sq. m of bar and licensed restaurant facilities. Croke Park also has such facilities. Is the Minister concerned that once again we must associate alcohol with the development of our national stadia? Must they go hand in hand or can we get the maximum benefit from them without the influence of alcohol? Is alcohol a major player in attracting attendances on the day? Is it fair to state we should ensure the strict criteria which I am sure are in place are adhered to with regard to opening hours for the sale of alcohol in such stadia?

Statements were made with regard to the Dodder and the fact that Dublin City Council must determine the sale of a strip of land adjacent to river to the development company to allow it ensure development of the stadium. Will the Minister comment on this?

Does the Minister still stand over the statement that the maximum funding to be provided by the Department is €190 million? Why will that money be paid upfront rather than in stages? Was it a request from the IRFU and the FAI or did the Government decide to make the payment upfront and allow the two associations to develop the project? What was the idea behind it?

Photo of John O'DonoghueJohn O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The provision of bar facilities at the new Lansdowne Road stadium is part of the plan. It should be remembered that often modern stadia are not used solely for the purposes of sport. Croke Park is often used for major conferences. In the same way, I anticipate meetings and smaller conferences will take place at Lansdowne Road. Therefore, I anticipate a need for restaurant and bar facilities and it is only natural that these facilities would form part of the plans. It is not the intention of the Lansdowne Road Stadium Development Company nor mine to promote the sale of drink, far from it.

Regarding the Dodder river walkway, an international sized rugby pitch will be provided at the rear of the East Stand to be used by Wanderers and Lansdowne rugby clubs. This development requires a small strip of land along the Dodder river walkway. Dublin City Council was approached with this request and is fully aware of what is involved. Discussions are continuing. In return, land along the Dodder river just outside the stadium will be upgraded and improved in order that there will continue to be a Dodder walkway from Lansdowne Road to Bath Avenue. The existing amenity will not be removed.

Engagement with other statutory agencies will be necessary as we progress with construction. There will be a necessity to have talks and reach agreement with Iarnród Éireann.

The entire cost is €365 million, of which the Exchequer will provide €191 million. Expenditure to date is approximately €23 million which was spent on matters such as design. The Department's Vote this year made provision for expenditure of €56 million in anticipation of An Bord Pleanála granting planning permission. I am glad to state it did so. In the circumstances, it is clear that Exchequer funding to be provided in the period from now to the end of construction will be staggered. It is true that the FAI and IRFU will come in at a later stage with their contributions. The reason is that to a large extent, their funds will be raised by way of selling corporate box advance tickets. They are confident they will each raise the required share of funding in accordance with the agreement.

It is the Government's intention to provide €191 million, which has been the aim since the beginning. It remains the position that the Government is committed to the provision of €191 million and no more. As of now, we hope to see construction commence in May this year, with construction of the new stadium completed by the end of 2009. This would mean we have met every single deadline since the commencement of the project.