Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 233: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number of meetings he has had with the representatives of a club (details supplied); the dates of such meetings; the decisions reached; if there is other meetings planned in regard to the clubs project at Tallaght for a soccer ground; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6906/07]

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 234: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position of the development at Tallaght (details supplied); the amount of funding determined by him towards the project; the amount of funding drawn down towards the project; and if he will make a statement as to his Departments intentions towards the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6907/07]

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 235: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number of meetings he has had with the representatives of the GAA in regard to the development of sports facilities at Tallaght (details supplied); the dates of such meetings; the decision reached at such meetings; if there are further meetings envisaged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6908/07]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 233 to 235, inclusive, together.

In response to approaches from South Dublin County Council, the FAI and Shamrock Rovers FC, I gave a commitment on behalf of the Government that funding would be provided towards the completion of a soccer stadium in Tallaght. The specifications for the stadium is that it would be capable of hosting senior soccer fixtures and that it would provide capacity for 6,000 seated spectators, which is the capacity decreed under the planning approval. In supporting the provision of a soccer stadium at Tallaght, I am seeking to bring to completion a long-standing project for a stadium on this site.

Under the Sports Capital Programme, my Department has provided funding of €2.57m towards this project over the 3 years 2000 to 2002. €2.44m has already been provided to Shamrock Rovers Stadium Development Committee based on work, to the value of €3.3m, carried out prior to the end of 2002.

I have made my position clear to the GAA at both national and Dublin County Board level on a number of occasions. My Department has had meetings with senior officials of the South Dublin County Council, the FAI and the GAA in seeking to progress the project. I am deeply disappointed at the continuing impediment that is delaying this project and which could have serious additional cost implications for it's development.

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, facilitating its use for other sporting events compatible with it remaining available for senior soccer fixtures. When it is feasible to do so I intend to work closely with South Dublin County Council to complete the stadium in a timely and cost effective manner.