Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 156: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the supports his Department has offered to the Football Association of Ireland with regard to their efforts to hold the 2011 UEFA cup final at the redeveloped Lansdowne Road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33769/08]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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It would be a great honour if Ireland where selected to host the 2011 UEFA Cup Final and showcase the newly developed stadium at Lansdowne Road to the world at one of European football's premier events. In 2004 the Government allocated a sum of €191m towards the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road into a 50,000 capacity stadium. The construction of the stadium is well underway and on target for completion in Spring, 2010 and will be well equipped to meet the highest of standards needed to showcase such an important event as the UEFA cup Final.

My predecessor met with the President of UEFA last year and indicated his support for the staging of the game at Lansdowne Road. My Department also participated with Dublin City Council and the FAI in a presentation to UEFA officials about the merits of Lansdowne Road Stadium hosting the final. I look forward to a successful outcome of the bidding process.