Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 90: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will expand on recent criticisms he made of the ongoing attempts by GAA clubs in the Tallaght area to prevent the stadium earmarked as the new home for Shamrock Rovers from being completed as a soccer-only facility; if he will expand on his main objections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15149/06]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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I refer the Deputy to my previous statements to the House in which I have made my position perfectly clear in this matter. It is worth, however, reiterating two important points that are central to the stadium at Tallaght. First, in supporting the completion of a soccer stadium at Tallaght, I am honouring a long-standing Government decision made under the sports capital programme. To agree to anything other than a soccer stadium would be to renege on previous commitments given to the FAI. Even when finished to the specifications of a soccer stadium, it will provide capacity for 6,000 spectators which is the capacity decreed under the planning approval. A larger pitch cannot easily be accommodated within the present site given the buildings already in place and would mean that the proposed stand on the opposite side to the partially completed stand would be reduced, thus limiting the overall capacity to about 4,500.

Second, while the stadium is scheduled for completion as a soccer facility, I would have no objections to South Dublin County Council, which will manage the facility, considering its use for other sporting events compatible with it remaining available for senior soccer fixtures.

The disappointment I expressed recently with the local GAA clubs involved revolves around both of these key points. At no stage was the site at Tallaght earmarked for development as a GAA facility and at no point has a GAA stadium of the size envisaged at Tallaght been identified as a priority by the GAA in Dublin. I have already indicated a willingness to favourably consider any application for funding in respect of the proposed GAA sports facility at Rathcoole in south county Dublin.