The redevelopment of Lansdowne Road into a 50,000 all-seater stadium was given a further green light today after the project was granted planning permission by Dublin City Council.

Work on the €365 million project, funded by the IRFU, the FAI and the Government, is scheduled to start in January of next year with the stadium due to be completed within 27 months.
 
Welcoming today's announcement, John O'Donoghue, Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism said: "I see this as an important milestone in the realisation of  this  exciting project which is progressing very much on schedule.

"I join with the IRFU and FAI in looking forward to a bright future in a great new sports stadium. This is a good day for Irish sport. "

Earlier this year, Dublin City Council had requested further information on 43 points while an impasse between the IRFU and Wanderers, one of the tenant clubs at the venue, had cast doubt of the timetable of the redevelopment.

However, the Lansdowne Road Stadium Development Company have repeatedly stressed the project remains on schedule.

A statement from the company explained that "the decision to grant planning permission is most encouraging as it means we are still working to the schedule which we set out at the start of the year".

Rugby and soccer internationals will be hosted at Croke Park next year with France set to face Ireland in the Six Nations on Sunday, February 11th.