Opposition parties are to quiz the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern in the Dáil today over the decision to redevelop Lansdowne Road into a new national stadium.
Mr Ahern hopes yesterday's announcement that €300 million will be spent renovating the stadium instead of building a new one at Abbotstown marks the end of the four-year saga which has proven the most divisive issue for the coalition.
The Progressive Democrats have opposed staunchly the Abbotstown option and yesterday's decision is seen as an embarrassing climbdown for the Taoiseach, whose strong support for the project led it to be known as the "Bertie Bowl".
While the PDs have played down the suggestion that the decision is a victory for the junior Government partner. But opposition parties are blaming the Taoiseach insistence on Abbotstown and his tactics in relation to the FAI and the GAA for delaying the building of a modern national stadium.
Fine Gael's spokesperson for sport Mr Jimmy Deenihan said the Taoiseach's "vanity" had delayed the project and wasted money.
"It's a shame the Government had to waste so much time, and money - up to €200m on land acquisition and consultants' reports - in coming to a decision."
Labour spokesperson, Mr Jack Wall, also criticised the "squandering" of taxpayers money and said "it is highly likely" that some international matches will be played abroad because of the delay in making Lansdowne meet international safety standards.