A large number of Dublin 4 residents are expected to attend a public meeting tonight over Government plans to redevelop the stadium at Lansdowne Road.
The meeting, to be addressed by the chairman of the IRFU, Mr Phillip Browne, is being hosted by two local Labour Party councillors, Mr Dermot Lacey and Mr Kevin Humphreys.
Mr Lacey welcomed the decision by the Government to abandon its plans to site a new stadium at Abbotstown in west Dublin and focus on Lansdowne instead, but insisted this must be done in consultation with local residents.
Fianna Fáil councillor Mr Chris Andrews said he had done a survey of public attitudes, and the reaction was largely positive. However, there was a small "very vocal but unrepresentative" group opposing it.
Sinn Féin's Mr Daithí Doolan also called for public consultation at all stages of the redevelopment of the stadium.
The Government, the IRFU and Iarnród Éireann yesterday played down the potential planning problems or disruption to locals.
The Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Mr O'Donoghue, said yesterday the development would "involve co-operation and consultation right throughout the process with the residents in the area around Lansdowne Road".
Locals are concerned at the massive scale of the €300 million building project, which is due to be finished by 2008. The DART line betweem Booterstown and the city centre will also face closure for long periods while access problems at Lansdowne Road are tackled.