Company set up to oversee Lansdowne development
Sports Minister John O'Donoghue has appointed Mr Willie Ryan as project director for the redevelopment of the 50,000 all-seated Lansdowne Road stadium. Mr Ryan will take up his employment immediately.
The Minister was speaking following the signing of a formal legal agreement between the Government, the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) and the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) on the redevelopment of the stadium.
Under this agreement, a new company, the Lansdowne Road Stadium Development Company Ltd., formed by the IRFU and FAI is responsible for the construction and management of the new €250m stadium.
This company is chaired by IRFU chief executive Mr Philip Browne and will issue a Prior Indicative Notice (PIN) tomorrow outlining the nature of the services it will procure in the development of the stadium.
Willie Ryan has almost 30 years project management experience both in Ireland and overseas.
Speaking at the announcement Minister O'Donoghue said: "We have made significant progress in the last number of months on advancing plans for the delivery of an enhanced stadium at Lansdowne Road.
I am delighted that we have arrived at a stage where a formal document has been agreed and
signed off. This document sets out the way the project will be operated and details the funding arrangements to achieve a stadium at Lansdowne Road, which we expect will be completed by December 2008."
IRFU chief executive Philip Browne said: "The IRFU warmly welcomes today's formal launch of the Lansdowne Road Stadium Development Company, which will oversee the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road as a modern, state of the art 50,000 seater capacity sports facility. This is a healthy vote of confidence by the Government, for which we are very appreciative, in endorsing the ambitions of Irish rugby, soccer and sport in general.
"Not only Dublin City, but the country in general, will benefit by the construction of a stadium of this calibre, and Lansdowne Road's renowned reputation will continue to play a critical role in generating significant revenues to the National and Local economies long into the future."
Fran Rooney, chief executive officer of the Football Association of Ireland said: "On behalf of the Football Association I welcome to-day's launch of the Lansdowne Road Stadium Development Company. This project represents a really positive commitment by Government to the development of our games for future generations.
"We look forward to working with Government, the IRFU and the new Company in developing a Stadium which will advance the cause of Irish Sport both nationally and internationally"
