Analysis of stadium costs to be fully independent

The examination of the costs of Stadium Ireland will be completely independent, the Department of Sports, Tourism and Recreation promised last night.

The assurance came following a demand by the leader of the Labour Party, Mr Ruairi Quinn, that no contracts to build the £1 billion Abbotstown, Co Dublin, stadium should be signed until the review is finished.

The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, promised a review to the Dail on April 11th when he tried to calm the tempers of PD colleagues, who were left uninformed about the £60 million contribution to the GAA.

The Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation, Dr McDaid, will bring a memorandum before the Cabinet on Tuesday week, covering the GAA money and the review.

The Progressive Democrats insist that the GAA cannot get the money to finish off the Croke Park redevelopment unless it agrees to open it to all sporting codes.

The Taoiseach insists that the Croke Park pitch could not host more matches and he has talked about the possibility of the GAA opening up other grounds around the country.

It is far from clear if the Minister's proposal will include a formula that will get the Government off the hook on these points, particularly since the PDs are showing little willingness to compromise.

Demanding a full review of the Abbotstown project, Mr Quinn said: "There is little point in having an independent evaluation of costs if binding contracts are already entered into."

He sought clarification from the Government on how the external review will take place, who will carry it out and whether it will be produced before the Dail.

"The Taoiseach must not be allowed to pull a fast one on this," he said. "This review must be genuine and substantial. There are increasing concerns about the costs of this project."