The IRFU wishes to confirm it has met with representatives of Campus and Stadium Ireland Development Ltd (CSID), the development company established by the Government to develop the Sports Campus Ireland project through the design and construction stages. The IRFU looks forward to continuing its discussions with CSID with a view to entering into a formal arrangement for use of the stadium and the other Sports Campus Ireland facilities.

Following the meeting, Philip Browne, chief executive of the IRFU, said "the IRFU wishes to acknowledge the far-sighted commitment by the Government to a centre for sporting excellence and a modern stadium facility which in many ways mirrors the plans the IRFU had been developing over the past 10 years for rugby. The overall Sports Campus Ireland concept has, however, the added benefit that state-of-the-art facilities will be available for all of Irish sport.

"The IRFU would be interested in using every aspect of the Sports Campus.We particularly note of provision of headquarter office facilities which we will consider further. It is our intention that all major rugby internationals will be played in the new national stadium.

"The IRFU also recognises the potential of the new stadium in particular for attracting international events that Ireland would not previously have been in a position to bid for."