Smith, FAI to meet on stadium

The Minister for Defence, Mr Smith, is to meet the FAI next week to discuss the Department of Defence's planning objection to…

The Minister for Defence, Mr Smith, is to meet the FAI next week to discuss the Department of Defence's planning objection to its proposed 45,000-seater stadium in west Dublin, writes Miriam Donohoe, Political Reporter.

The objection to Eircom Park - which will be in direct competition with the Government's proposed u£280 million 80,000-seater national stadium in Abbotstown - is that it may affect military aviation at Baldonnel airport.

The Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation, Dr McDaid, yesterday denied a claim that the objection was a Government declaration of war on Eircom Park.