THE company behind the £350 million casino, conference centre and sports complex in the Phoenix Park can retain planning permission for the project until 2001.
A spokeswoman for Sonas Centre Ltd said yesterday the three directors hope to meet this week to discuss the project's future after the Government decision on Tuesday not to grant a casino licence.
Last month Sonas director Mr Robert White said that without the "financial engine" of a casino the project would not go ahead. "We will do nothing without a casino licence and we've made that very clear."
Sonas refused to comment on the suggestion that it would put the proposal on hold and lobby for a casino licence after the next change of government.
According to a senior administrative officer in Fingal County Council, Mr Mark Walsh the company retains the permission for five years. The planning period can be extended if building work starts within five years and is not completed in that time. However, the building work must be "substantial".
Yesterday Fianna Fail spokesman on arts, culture and heritage, Mr Liam Lawlor, welcomed the Government decision. He argued that the image of a glamorous "Monte Carlo on the Liffey" painted by the developers would have been more like "Atlantic City in the USA."
"The high rollers who were supposed to be ready to flock to the Phoenix Park can get what they want in terms of gambling from sunnier and swankier settings."
However, Green MEP, Ms Patricia McKenna, called on Fianna Fail to give a public assurance that it would not license a casino if it came into government. "There is always a risk that Fianna Fail could look favourably on a revamped casino plan if it gets back into Government after the next election."
In response, Mr Lawlor said the Government had taken a decision, "and there is no reason to believe that a future government would change that decision". He said it was "impossible to forecast the future" but Fianna Fail "would never legalise the slot machine aspects" of the casino proposal.
