Scotland's First Minister, Mr Jack McConnell, yesterday insisted that the joint Irish-Scottish bid to host the 2008 UEFA Football Championship is still on course despite the collapse of plans to pay for the proposed Stadium Ireland from public funds.
Mr McConnell, who refused to countenance a solo Scottish bid after he took over as First Minister nine months ago, said he had spoken to the Taoiseach this week and been brought up to date with the state of play in Ireland.
"I think I have had a firm commitment from Bertie Ahern that they remain committed, not only to a national stadium but also to this bid.
"They believe that the best way of financing this national stadium - and I know for a fact that Bertie believes that the quickest way to finance the project - is to secure that stadium as part of a wider development on the site and for that development to be led by the private sector.
"The adverts are in the Irish press today. If we're looking for commitments, then the first part of his commitment has been carried out within 48 hours - and if that's the sort of commitment they're prepared to show then, if they keep making their deadlines, I'll be delighted", said McConnell.
"There are a number of people who have expressed interest in this development and they have had to put adverts in the papers in order to have this interest formally expressed.
"The national stadium was always going to be part of a much wider development and I think we have to presume that it will now go ahead with the lead support of the private sector but with the Government right behind it and he is confident that it will be successful".
McConnell was speaking at a press conference at Hampden Park in Glasgow to announce sponsorship for the bid from the Lloyds TSB bank, two days before the UEFA inspection team arrives in Dublin to begin their scrutiny of the proposals to bring Euro 2008 to the two countries.
Officials from the Taoiseach's office will meet representatives of all the major sporting organisations over coming weeks, to discuss the stadium issue, a Government spokesman said last night. A time for the meetings have not yet been decided.