Fine Gael to scrap National Stadium if elected

Fine Gael would scrap the National Stadium project planned for West Dublin if it gets into Government at the next elections, according to party leader Mr Michael Noonan.

The lack of any effective transport links, exacerbated by delays in the National Development Plan will make Campus Ireland unviable and leave the residents of West Dublin with a white elephant on their doorstep Fine Gael leader Mr Michael Noonan

Mr Noonan is expected to tell a public meeting in Blanchardstown tonight his party would abandon the proposed Sports Campus Ireland project on the 500-acre site at Abbotstown and spend the money on local sports infrastructure instead.

In his speech he will say: "Those living close to the proposed location will suffer from the Government’s insistence to go ahead with this ill-thought-out plan and from the total lack of infrastructural support that has become a part of this saga."

"The lack of any effective transport links, exacerbated by delays in the National Development Plan will make Campus Ireland unviable and leave the residents of West Dublin with a white elephant on their doorstep".

"The enormous problems that it will bring to the area, not least the volumes of traffic due to the lack of public transport for match-goers, will spell disaster unless the project is halted now".

Fine Gael claims most residents in Blanchardstown and Castlenock are against the "Bertie bowl" project that would see an 80,000-seat stadium built on the site. The party says it has done a survey that shows 78 per cent of people are against the project.

The local council is opposed to plans for a stadium until a "proper" infrastructure strategy is put in place to serve the greater Blanchardstown area.