Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 246: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the meetings he or his officials have had with the FAI and the IRFU with regard to the development of the Landsdowne Road grounds; the status of the proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27031/05]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Government decided in January 2004 to provide an amount of €191 million towards the proposed redevelopment of Lansdowne Road by the Irish Rugby Football Union, IRFU, and the Football Association of Ireland, FAI. The IRFU and the FAI set up a special purpose company, Lansdowne Road Stadium Redevelopment Company, LRSRC, to undertake the project and project management and design teams have been appointed by the company following a public tendering procedure.

A steering group was established to oversee the development of the project chaired by the Secretary General of my Department, which involves the IRFU, the FAI and the Lansdowne Road Stadium Redevelopment Company, as well as officials of my Department, the Department of Finance and the Office of Public Works. This steering group, which meets on a regular basis, had its most recent meeting on 15 September and a full update of developments was provided and the progress of the project was discussed. I am pleased to report that the project is proceeding according to schedule, the work on the development of a conceptual design is nearing completion and I intend to launch this design later this month. It is intended that a planning application will be submitted to the planning authorities by the end of the year.

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 247: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the meetings he or his officials have had with the GAA in regard to the associations decision to open Croke Park to other sports; the results of these meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27032/05]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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Prior to and following the decision of the Gaelic Athletic Association to amend Rule 42, I and my officials have met with representatives of the GAA at which the implications and opportunities afforded by the GAA decision to open Croke Park as a venue for the other codes of football were considered. I am happy that Croke Park can now be considered as a venue for the hosting of rugby and soccer games during the closure of Lansdowne Road stadium and my acknowledgement of the GAA gesture in this regard is on record. It is now a matter for the three sporting organisations to work out the logistics relating to such usage.