The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) is set to apply for planning permission within the next two weeks for a new, 45,000-seat soccer stadium in Dublin.
Advertisements giving notice of the intention to apply for permission will appear in newspapers this weekend, and sources say almost all of the £65 million (€83 million) financing is in place.
The stadium, to be built at CityWest in Fortunestown, Tallaght, will be named after its main sponsor, Eircom. The telecommunications company has committed £18 million to the project, with ACCBank and ESB promising a further £2.5 million each.
Some 40 corporate boxes have already been bought, as well as around 2,000 premium seats. With more than £50 million committed to date, it now appears that Deutsche Bank, which is underwriting the project, will not have to make up any shortfall.
The development includes a 47-metre high arena with a gross floor space of more than 91,000 square metres. Besides the main pitch and entertainment area, there are plans for 3,000 car parking spaces, 120 coach spaces and three training pitches.
The arena would be used for soccer and other sports, concerts, trade shows and other "appropriate" events, according to the FAI. The association predicts 50 such events a year.
The FAI proposes vehicular and pedestrian access by a new roundabout to the junction of Blessington Road and City West Road link to the N7.
Within 14 days of publishing its advertisement, the FAI must apply to South Dublin County Council for planning permission. Because of the nature of the development, councillors must meet and vote on the proposal.
Given the changes that such a development would herald for residents, it seems likely there will be objections to the stadium. This could delay the process considerably. In July, the FAI's chief executive, Mr Bernard O'Byrne, said the association had established a working group in the local community, comprising residents groups, public representatives and local community organisations, to advise on the project.
The FAI's move comes just one week before a consultants' report about a rival project is presented to a committee set up by the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation, Dr McDaid.
