The government has decided to withdraw state funding for the proposed National Stadium at Abbotstown. Instead private sector funding is to be sought for the project at Abbotstown and the GAA is to be asked to to allow Croke Park be used for the European Championships in 2008.
A short statement after today's cabinet meeting said the government had decided that in the current economic circumstances it was not in a position to provide any exchequer funding in the medium term for a National Stadium.
The Department of Finance and other agencies will instead explore the possibility of private sector funding for a National stadium at Abbotstown.
This means that the state would provide the Abbotstown site for the project but private interests would build and operate the stadium. A spokesman for the Taoiseach said he remained optimistic he would be in a position to turn the first sod on the site, but in reality this puts a huge question mark over the project.
Both the Progressive Democrats and Fianna Fail say the statement represents an honourable compromise on the stadium issue, but many will see the outcome as a victory for Mary Harney's opposition to continuing with the project.
The government also intends to ask the GAA to allow Croke Park be used on a once off basis for the European Soccer Championships in 2008 if our joint bid with Scotland is succesful; that would require a rule change by the organisation so our plan to host the tournament is now in serious jeopardy.
In response the President of the GAA, Sean McCague, once again reiterated that a change of rule or policy in regard to the use of Croke Park requires a decision of Congress, representative of all 32 counties and units abroad. Neither the President, the Management Committee, or Central Council have the authority to change the relevant rule, said McCague.
Filed by Ciaran Cronin
