John O'Donoghue, Foresees no problems with planning permission
There has been a broad welcome for the Government's plan to develop Lansdowne Road rather than Abbotstown as the country's national stadium.
Five years after the Taoiseach first unveiled plans for the so-called Bertie Bowl, the Goverment has opted instead for a 50,000 seater stadium at the headquarters of Irish rugby for major soccer and rugby fixtures.
The project is due to be completed by 2008 at an estimated cost of €300m.
The Government has also committed to the development of a new sport campus involving an indoor arena at Abbotstown.
The Minister for Sport, John O'Donoghue, has said he does not foresee any major problems with the new stadium getting planning permission.
No money wasted - Ahern
The Taoiseach has denied money had been wasted on the Abbotstown project. Bertie Ahern told the Dáil feasibility studies had been carried out, and that these would be useful in the future development of sports facilities on the site.
He said while some existing facilities had been moved from Abbotstown, they would have to have been moved anyway as they required more space.
Mr Ahern added that Campus Stadium Ireland would remain the owner of the site, and would continue to develop sports facilities there.
Mr Ahern was responding to Socialist Party TD Joe Higgins, who claimed that by pushing ahead in a 'bull headed manner' against the best advice, the Taoiseach had caused a huge waste of taxpayers' money.
