Residents in the Lansdowne Road area of Dublin have expressed concern over plans to redevelop the stadium which will "destroy" an area of parkland beside the River Dodder.
Ms Frances Corr, secretary of the Bath Avenue and District Residents' Association, said locals would not accept any plans to remove what she said was one of the last green areas left in the vicinity.
"We couldn't allow this. It's the last bit of nature in the area. It has lots of bushes, trees and wildlife. Lots of people walk their dogs there and children play there," Ms Corr said.
The association, which represents around 550 householders surrounding the ground, met with IRFU officials earlier this week. They were shown outline plans for the stadium, including an artist's impression of the new 50,000-seater complex.
Ms Corr said there did not seem to be many positive aspects for the community in the new plans. "When we were asked what the community gain would be, we were told there would be part-time jobs. We know they have their own security firm. So far we've only seen "concepts", not plans. When these plans are ready, we will be inspecting them." She said it was too early to say whether the group would object to planning permission for the stadium and that a public meeting would be held to discuss the issue. The group also wants clarification on issues such as the number of fixtures to be held at the ground and access to the area on match day.
The IRFU yesterday accepted that plans for a redeveloped Lansdowne Road stray outside the boundaries of the existing stadium. However, it said it was too early to discuss specific planning issues as the Government had not yet decided whether to fund the project. "It's extremely early days. The focus is overwhelmingly on next week. We're all standing on the precipice hoping that we get a positive decision from the Cabinet," an IRFU spokesman said.
"We showed residents the plans, discussed them in outline form. The reaction was largely positive overall. There are issues which will have to be discussed if we get a positive decision."
The IRFU said the stadium was designed to have minimal impact on local residents. Its transparent roof was aimed at minimising shadow, while the size of the stadium would be similar to the existing 50,000-seater stadium, according to officials.
The Minister for Arts, Tourism and Sport, Mr O'Donoghue, is expected to present two options before the Cabinet next week: a 65,000-seater stadium for Abbotstown or a redeveloped Lansdowne Road.
There is growing speculation the Government will opt for the latter option after the Taoiseach - a strong supporter of the Abbotstown option - said recently he was not "hung up" over the stadium's location.
Meanwhile, betting agents, Boyle Sports, has quoted odds of 5/6 that the Government will opt for the Lansdowne option.
It is quoting odds of 16/1 that Abbotstown will be the favoured location. It says the likelihood of a Government fudge on the issue is 10/1.
