The Irish Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, John O’Donoghue, has announced that the government supports the re-development of the Lansdowne Road 50,000-seater stadium and will provide ‘substantial approved funding’ of around 167m euros towards its development.

The stadium could be completed as soon as 2008 at a total cost of around 250m euros.

Plans for the stadium were previously submitted to the government by the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) and supported by both the FIA and the GAA.

The new Lansdowne Road stadium will be built on the axis of the existing stadium and will meet all the current international standards for both rugby and football.

O’Donoghue said: “This is a landmark day for Irish sport. We are bringing our national sporting infrastructure into the 21st century, on a much-loved site that resonates with history, tradition and some of our greatest successes.

“Our international sports of rugby and soccer will now have a platform on which they can showcase themselves and Ireland to the world.” Details: www.irishrugby.ie