McDaid denies soccer bid is linked to stadium plans

The Minister for Sport, Dr McDaid, has denied that there is any link between a bid to host Euro 2008 and the Government's plans for a national stadium. He insisted that the proposed joint application by Ireland and Scotland to host the Euro 2008 soccer championships had "absolutely nothing to do" with the Stadium Ireland project.

There was nothing "mischievous" going on regarding Euro 2008 and the Government supported the joint bid in principle. February 28th was the deadline for football associations to confirm their intention to submit a joint bid by May 31st.

The Minister also said he agreed with the Tánaiste that the report on the costings of Campus and Stadium Ireland should be published. He would be bringing proposals to Cabinet shortly and the matter was at an "advanced stage".

Dr McDaid will meet Scotland's Minister for Tourism, Sport and Culture, Mr Mike Watson, next Tuesday and will meet representatives of the Football Association of Ireland tomorrow.

Dr McDaid added that there were issues to be considered before the bid could proceed, such as UEFA requirements in terms of "stadia, policing, security, accommodation, transport and other infrastructure and services needed" for such a tournament.

Labour's tourism spokesman, Mr Brian O'Shea, called for assurances that the Euro 2008 project was not just a "cynical political exercise, where the Scottish First Minister wants to get off the hook for commitments made by his predecessor" and it suited the Taoiseach "to push forward his pet project".

Dr McDaid said it was not a "cynical bid because we have been dealing with this issue since last December". It was not the case that it would suit the Taoiseach.

"We were continuing to progress the Campus and Stadium Ireland project throughout the year and it has taken up all our time through this month."

Pointing to the benefits of matches such as the rugby internationals, he said that a match against England brings €20 million into the economy, while a Welsh match brings in €15 million.

The Minister said that throughout January the Cabinet subcommittee on the stadium projects had been going through the consultants' report in great detail, "when we took on board all the issues".

There were positive aspects in the report but there were also "issues of concern to us". He added that if they had the stadium "or even a glimpse of two proper stadia, we would have been flying for 2008".

The requirements for hosting were such that a group match would require a stadium with a 30,000 capacity, a 40,000-seater stadium for a quarter- or semi-final and 50,000 for a final.