John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Question 21: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position regarding the development of the Lansdowne Road stadium; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9175/05]

Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)
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Question 28: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if the design team and a project management team have been appointed by the Lansdowne Road Stadium Development Company Limited; when a planning application will be lodged; the likely date for the commencement of work on the new stadium; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9208/05]

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 31: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the provision being made to allow the IRFU and the FAI to play home games here for the duration of the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9169/05]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 245: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he has had discussions with the various sporting bodies or organisations in regard to the way in which it is intended to cater for international rugby matches during the refurbishment of Lansdowne Road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9456/05]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 21, 28, 31 and 245 together.

The Lansdowne Road Stadium Development Company Limited, which was established by the IRFU and FAI to develop the stadium at Lansdowne Road, is responsible for all matters relating to the procurement of the stadium. Currently, the company, with the assistance of the Office of Public Works, is evaluating tenders received in connection with the appointment of a design team and a project management team for the project. It is expected that both teams will be selected by the end of March 2005. The company intends that the preparatory work leading to a submission for planning application will be pursued as soon as these teams have been appointed. It is expected that enabling works will happen during 2006 and the actual main construction work will commence in 2007 with an estimated building time of 29 months.

Once the construction work gets under way the stadium will be unavailable for use for a considerable period of time. I am aware that the IRFU and FAI have considered a number of contingency options for rugby and soccer matches during the period when the existing pitch will be unavailable. It is a matter for these autonomous sporting bodies to make the necessary arrangements to ensure that their match commitments are met. My Department is in regular liaison with both bodies through the Lansdowne Road stadium steering group.