Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 24: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his views on the €70 million increase in the projected cost for the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road; if any of this estimated increase will be met by the Government or if it will be paid for exclusively by the FAI and IRFU; if he is concerned at the spiralling cost of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34901/05]

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

The detailed design for the Lansdowne Road stadium project has been completed by HOK Sports with the assistance of Irish architects Scott Tallon Walker and I was very pleased to launch the design for the stadium on 17 October last. The revised design is an innovative solution for the site which now provides more corporate and premium seats than was contained in the initial outline design. The project has been costed at €365 million, including VAT, which includes the increased cost of the improved facilities.

The January 2004 estimate of the cost of the stadium emerged from a feasibility study which was based on a particular design concept. The detailed design plan and detailed costings now in the public domain relate to a radically different design concept for a much improved stadium, in terms both of design and quality of facilities, compared with that envisaged in the original feasibility study.

The Government commitment to the project is to provide a maximum of €191 million towards the project with the balance being provided jointly by the IRFU and FAI. The Government commitment to this amount has been reiterated and is accepted and understood by both the IRFU and FAI. Both sports organisations have confirmed that they will meet the additional cost from increased income streams from forward selling of the additional corporate boxes and premium seats.