FAI chief executive Fran Rooney today voiced concerns at the Government's delay in announcing definitive plans for the development of a new national stadium.
Rooney was speaking from Athlone this afternoon, where the FAI gave a financial commitment for Athlone Town's plans to build a new 5,000-seater stadium in the midlands town.
The stadium in Athlone is due to be built on a new site at the town's regional sports centre next year at a cost of €4million. New safety regulations necessitated finding an alternative to St Mel's Park - Athlone's current ground - as it would be unfit to host matches from next year.
When it came to the national stadium and both Rooney and the FAI Treasurer, John Delaney, emphasised the problems which lay ahead if plans were not put in place sooner rather than later.
Delaney warned that the UEFA deadline allowing to the use of buckets seats to facilitate internationals at Lansdowne Road is fast running out.
Rooney went on to add that ongoing indecision from the Government is to the detriment of the FAI's own plans to locate a new national coaching centre and headquarters.