A survey carried out by Dublin Chamber of Commerce shows that four out of five businesses in Dublin favour a Lansdowne Road development over a development in Abbotstown.
The survey of the Chamber's 2,000 plus members, carried out over the past ten days, is consistent with an earlier poll carried out in April of last year.
The 2003 poll showed that 96 per cent of businesses in Dublin consider that a second stadium is needed, while 76 per cent said that it should be in a venue close to the city centre, with most favouring a Lansdowne Road redevelopment.
Fine Gael urged the Government to endorse the development of a new stadium at Lansdowne Road as opposed to the "Bertie Bowl" option at Abbotstown, on the western outskirts of the capital.
"Four years ago to the day the Government announced plans for a National Stadium. It looks set to finally make a decision on a new stadium this week, and I am urging it to adopt the Fine Gael position by rejecting the 'Bertie Bowl' and rowing in behind plans to develop a new stadium at Lansdowne Road," said arts, sport and tourism spokesman Mr Jimmy Deenihan.
The Minister for Sport, Mr O'Donoghue is expected to make his recommendation to Cabinet as early as tomorrow.
The estimated cost of the stadium is €250 million, of which the IRFU and FAI would contribute €83 million. With some €84 million of the total cost expected to return to the Exchequer in PAYE, PRSI, and VAT, the organisations put the net cost to the State at only €83 million.