The Government is confident it can deliver on its guarantee to provide two UEFA standard stadiums on time should the Scottish/Irish bid for the 2008 European Soccer Championships be successful today.
However, it is still not clear which stadiums would be used. The Taoiseach said yesterday that the Government commitment did not mean that a new national stadium would necessarily be built. He would not be drawn on how Ireland would fulfil its commitment without a new stadium.
The Government has told UEFA that it will provide two stadiums from three options: Croke Park with the GAA's current ban on "foreign games" removed; Lansdowne Road redeveloped to UEFA standards; and a new stadium at Abbotstown.
The Government's examination of private sector offers to build the national stadium at Abbotstown is continuing. Some 23 parties have submitted "expressions of interest" concerning the development of the Abbotstown site including the building of the stadium. All are understood to have sought either tax breaks or guarantees of extra land to be developed as part of a deal.
While a Progressive Democrat spokesman said yesterday that his party is fully committed to the guarantee of two stadiums given by the Government, it is not known whether they would agree to a substantial gift of land or tax breaks to a private developer. The party has strongly resisted substantial Exchequer funding for an Abbotstown stadium, and may regard a deal including land or tax breaks as Exchequer funding by the back door. It has always maintained that its preference is for Croke Park and Lansdowne Road to be the two stadiums selected.
However, the Irish Rugby Football Union has indicated that the building of the Abbotstown stadium is necessary to provide it with an alternative venue for major rugby internationals.
This, says the IRFU, is the key to enabling it agree to have Lansdowne Road redeveloped as a smaller capacity all seater stadium that would fulfil UEFA requirements.
The Government is optimistic that should the 2008 bid be successful, the GAA would change its rule 42 to allow "foreign games" be played at Croke Park during the soccer championships.
A Government spokeswoman emphasised yesterday that a decision to allow soccer at Croke Park was a matter for the GAA and that the Government would respects its decision. The GAA has been annoyed in the past at the apparent presumption that it would change its rules to facilitate the 2008 tournament.
The spokeswoman confirmed yesterday that it has guaranteed that two stadiums will be available for the competition.