Fianna Fáil said this evening the party had not scaled back plans for the proposed National Stadium at Abbotstown and remained fully committed to the project.
This follows suggestions that Fianna Fáil was watering down the project because of spiraling costs and opposition criticism. And that certain planned facilities like the indoor arena, a series of multi-purpose sports halls and a cycling velodrome were being jettisoned to cut costs.
Last night the Attorney General, Mr Michael McDowell, described the plan as a "Ceausescu-era Olympic project".
A spokesman for Fianna Fáil told ireland.com: "The position is clear, the Taoiseach is committed to building the stadium."
"As to the other facilities, their feasibility would be examined in due process."
He said the figure of €1 billion being talked about had been "plucked out of thin air" as far he was concerned and was not accurate.
The project had been costed at €450-500 million and that is what is being budgeted for, he said.
However a consultants’ report delivered to the Minister for Sport last September is said to have forecast the project would cost more than double the original estimate because of delays.
