Stadium Ireland,Plans rumoured to be cut back
The Taoiseach has said that he would have no problem with the scaling down of the Stadium Ireland project if that was the recommendation of a cost review agreed between the coalition parties. Bertie Ahern again strongly defended the project, saying that it was appropriate that this country should provide world class sports facilities at a time when we could afford to do so. He said that it was not an "ego trip". Instead, it would be a legacy to an era of prosperity in this country. The cost of the project was initially estimated at £160m, but the current proposal could now run closer to £1bn.
The Taoiseach's plan for a new national stadium and sports campus at Abbotstown in Dublin has been as controversial as it is ambitious. However, with costs for the project spiralling, the Government has been under pressure from the opposition to delay any further work on the project, pending a full investigation. The Tánaiste indicated yesterday that the Progressive Democrats would not be able to agree to the £1bn development.
If the stadium plans were to be scaled back, it is thought that some of the planned elements could go elsewhere, while others would be dropped entirely. The stadium's capacity could also be reduced. The Taoiseach is still thought to be committed to some form of multi-purpose sports campus. He has said that the country badly needs such facilities, but that costs would have to be controlled.
