Ahern fails to sway FAI on stadium

FAI officials met the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, yesterday in an attempt to address some of the issues which are polarising the parties on the stadiums' issue.

Although the talks are understood to have covered other points of contention, it was the association's determination to proceed with plans to build its own stadium, Eircom Park, at a time when the Government is committed to its proposed National Stadium which dominated the agenda.

Pat Quigley, the FAI president, who was accompanied by Brendan Menton, Michael Hyland and Bernard O'Byrne, said that the talks were "frank and constructive", but wouldn't in any way deflect them from the ideal of building their own headquarters.

"Nothing has changed in that respect," he said. "We wish the Government well in its project but nobody should be in any doubt that we intend to see Eircom Park in place by 2002.

"The Taoiseach reiterated his preferred choice of the national team playing its home fixtures at the National Stadium. Our view is that all our international games will be played at Eircom Park from 2002."

Responding to charges that the final bill for Eircom Park is likely to be closer to £100 million than the £65 million originally mentioned and that funds needed for the development of the game would be consumed in servicing the debt, O'Byrne said that they had done their sums accurately and expected to be in the black almost from day one.

Ahern's decision to hold the meeting just hours before he embarked on his Australian and American tours is indicative of the importance he attaches to a project which he believes will enhance the image of the country in a number of ways.

He is understood to have answered allegations that the FAI was less favourably treated than the GAA in terms of State funding by pointing to the subventions made available to Bohemians and Shelbourne for refurbishing schemes at Dalymount and Tolka Park respectively.

The underlying message, it seems, is that goodwill on that scale cannot be taken for granted if overtures to the FAI to involve itself more closely in plans for the development of the National Stadium, continue to go unheeded.