The joint Scottish-Irish bid for the 2008 European soccer championships will not be harmed by the differences between Fianna Fail and coalition partners the Progressive Democrats, the Taoiseach Mr Ahern insisted today.
|
Unveiling Ireland’s logo for the bid, Mr Ahern said the split between himself and the Tanaiste, Ms Harney, would not prevent Ireland from providing two stadiums for the tournament.
Mr Ahern was joined by the Minister Tourism, Sport and Recreation Mr McDaid and Football Association of Ireland chief executive Mr Brendan Menton for the unveiling at Government Buildings today.
Mr McDaid will travel to Stockholm in Sweden later today where he will meet his Scottish counterpart, Mr Mike Watson, and First Minister Mr Jack McConnell.
The delegation will then put the Scottish-Irish case to the ruling council of European football, UEFA.
Mr Ahern said: "The bid can go on. Ireland and Scotland will put in a very strong bid. We believe that we will have the facilities well on time ... I think it is now time for the country to unite and be behind this."
He added that his absence in Stockholm would not affect the bid.
The unveiling of the logo came after a week of sniping between Mr Ahern and Ms Harney in which both appeared to indirectly refer to each other as "nitwits".
This morning's Irish Independentreported the PDs chairman Mr John Minihan saying there was "major daylight" between his party and Fianna Fail on the issue.
The PDs believe the uncertainty over the cost of the project and the current state of public finances means the project is unlikely to be viable.
However Minister Mc Daid said today: "Of course it is worth it. This country has always shown in the past that when it has the infrastructure in place we are capable of holding the best tournaments in the world."
Additional reporting PA