The Minister for Sport has described as "nonsense" suggestions that the proposed redevelopment of Lansdowne Road is already going to be over budget, after it emerged that the project will cost €365 million, €70 million more than estimated.
In a speech to Fianna Fáil delegates, John O'Donoghue defended his department's track record on spending. He said the extra cost was due to an enhanced design rather than price inflation.
The IRFU and FAI sporting bodies would meet extra costs, and the Government's spending of €191 million on the project would remain the same, he said.
Mr O'Donoghue reiterated his support for the redevelopment of the the Abbey Theatre at a site near Dublin's Spencer Dock, and said he would bring formal proposals on the venture to Cabinet in the "very near future".
The Minister said there had been spending of €381 million in sporting facilities across the State in recent years, but he acknowledged that childhood obesity was a growing problem in Ireland.
A recent ESRI report highlighted that a quarter of Irish girls took no exercise or played no sport.
Last night Minister for the Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Éamon Ó Cuív said Government had made "tremendous achievements" in delivering development in the Border, Midlands and Western region, citing Fianna Fáil's commitment to Shannon and Knock airports. He said the party had put the western rail corridor, "back on track".
A decision on whether to finance the €200 million plus project, however, has yet to be made by the Government.
Meanwhile, delegates also supported a motion to change the May bank holiday weekend, and move it back one week to April 24th to commemorate the 1916 Rising instead.