Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Question 37: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the reason the Lansdowne Road development will not be completed before its target date; the new information that exists on this compared with the information provided in reply to my question on the matter in April 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15350/04]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 41: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position regarding the new stadium at Lansdowne Road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15363/04]

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 49: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the progress made by the steering group comprised of representatives of the FAI, the IRFU, the OPW and his Department to oversee the construction of the new national stadium at Lansdowne Road; if the project remains on course for construction to begin in 2006, with completion in 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15370/04]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 37, 41 and 49 together.

The preparatory work leading to the construction of a new stadium at Lansdowne Road is already under way. There has been no change in the end-2008 target date for completion of the project.

Since the Government's decision of 27 January to support a joint IRFU-FAI proposal to redevelop Lansdowne Road stadium as a 50,000 all seated stadium, my Department has been working with both the IRFU and the FAI to plan for and progress the implementation of the decision. A steering group has been established to advance the project and regular contact is maintained with both organisations.

The Lansdowne Stadium Project Steering Group has held a number of meetings. Chaired by the Secretary General of my Department, its membership comprises representatives of the IRFU, the FAI, my Department and the OPW. A priority for the steering group is to ensure that all the legal, financial, planning and procurement requirements are met in an efficient and timely manner so that actual construction work can get under way at the earliest possible date.

The delivery of the project will be the joint responsibility of the IRFU and the FAI through a special purpose vehicle, the establishment of which is nearing completion. The appointment of a project director for the project is imminent. A formal grant agreement, between my Department on the one hand and the IRFU and the FAI on the other, is currently being finalised.

The indicative time frame for the project includes a period of 11 months to complete the planning process. The construction phase is expected to take 29 months and is scheduled to commence in mid-2006 and to be completed by the end of 2008.