Plans to build the country's biggest indoor sports arena, which could play host to games such as ice hockey and basketball, are being considered by the State agency responsible for developing the planned sports campus at Abbotstown.
The sports and entertainment facility, which would be twice the size of Belfast's Odyssey centre, is one of a number of proposals being considered for the 500-acre site in west Dublin.
A number of sports bodies, including the GAA, the IRFU, the FAI and the Special Olympics, have also sent in detailed submissions to Campus and Stadium Ireland Development Ltd (CSID), which is drawing up plans for the site.
While a final blueprint of the proposed campus is still being drawn up, sources say a number of key elements are certain, including a major indoor arena, indoor and outdoor pitches, a medical research centre and administrative headquarters for sports groups.
In its submission the GAA says it needs facilities for clubs in the Dublin, Meath and Kildare area. It underlines the need for floodlit grounds, a sports science laboratory and handball facilities. The GAA also says it would consider moving these facilities to Abbotstown.
The IRFU has also expressed strong interest in the project which, it says, could be used by the international team and Leinster squad. It emphasises the need for modern weight-training, sports science and medical facilities.
The FAI submission is understood to seek a sports arena which would seat up to 10,000 people which could be used for under-age matches, 'B' internationals and club games. Like the GAA, it is considering moving its administrative headquarters to the Abbotstown campus.
The Special Olympics has also sent in a submission seeking indoor and outdoor facilities for a wide range of sports.
The board of CSID is due to put together a detailed proposal for a sports campus by September for the Minister of Arts, Tourism and Sport, Mr O'Donoghue.
The campus will be built on State-owned land and will be funded primarily through resources from the Government, sports groups and private sector investment.
The site at Abbotstown was the source of a major row between the Government coalition partners. The Taoiseach abandoned his plans for an 80,000-seater national stadium in the face of opposition from the PDs. Instead, the Government agreed to fund a 50,000-seater new Lansdowne Road stadium
