LOCAL REACTION: Residents and commuters could face significant disruption during the construction of the new stadium at Lansdowne Road.
Sections of the Dart line from the city centre to Booterstown will have to be shut down during part of the construction period.
Residents in the area have also raised concerns about the disruption involved in the removal of thousands of tonnes of rubble from the site with the demolition of the existing stands and terraces.
However, yesterday the Government and the IRFU moved to play down the potential planning problems or disruption to locals because of the project.
The Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Mr O'Donoghue, said the development would "involve co-operation and consultation right throughout the process with the residents in the area around Lansdowne Road".
A spokesman for Iarnród Éireann said the IRFU had not been in contact yet regarding the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road. However, the company would work to ensure that disruption to commuters would be kept to a minimum.
He said the redevelopment of Lansdowne would also provide "an opportunity to resolve some of the access problems" at Lansdowne Road Dart station.
This includes the elimination of a level crossing between the station and stadium, and its replacement by pedestrian walkways. This has already been proposed by the IRFU as part of its rebuilding plan.
However, the demolition of the West Stand, which borders the Dart line, could cause significant disruption to Dart services.
The overhead lines for the system are built into the West Stand, and its demolition would involve their removal and replacement.
Parts of the line will have to be shut down as a result, during this demolition.
Irish Rail sources have suggested that much of this work could be carried out at night or the weekends.
However, weekend and evening work is one of the primary concerns of residents, according to Mrs Frances Corr, secretary of the Bath Avenue Residents' Association.
"They'll have a battle on their hands if they try," she said.
While not opposed to development in principle, the residents had a list of serious concerns they would be raising during the planning process, she said.
Concerns include the height of the new stadium and whether it will overshadow houses, and where the entrances and exits to and from the ground will be located.
The residents also have concerns about disruption and health hazards surrounding the demolition and construction period.
"Also we are rather suspicious about some of the materials used in the old stand," said Mrs Corr, in reference to unconfirmed reports that the roof may contain asbestos.
A Fianna Fáil councillor, Mr Chris Andrews, has also carried out a door-to-door survey of public opinion in the Lansdowne Road area.
"It ranged from complete opposition, by a relatively small number of people, to a majority who were indifferent to or in favour of the proposal," he said.
Meanwhile, the IRFU chief executive, Mr Philip Browne, is to address a meeting of local residents about the plan tonight.
A Labour councillor, Mr Dermot Lacey, who has organised the meeting with party colleagues, said he was in favour of the redevelopment.
However, the concerns of residents would have to be addressed, he said.
This was echoed by other local politicians, including Mr Eoin Ryan, the Fianna Fáil TD, who described it as the best location for the new national stadium.