The independent review of Sports Campus Ireland has concluded that the full project would cost significantly below the £1 billion suggested by its critics, paving the way for a revised plan to go to Cabinet for approval within weeks.
However, Fianna Fβil and the Progressive Democrats have not ironed out the sharp differences between them on the issue and there were signs yesterday that the PDs may continue to oppose going ahead despite the consultants' findings on cost.
The consultants, whose final report will be submitted next week, estimate the total construction cost to be close to the £550 million figure put forward by Campus and Stadium Ireland Development Board, which is driving the project.
However, the report is understood to say the real project cost is higher, as a significant part of the cost of relocating the State laboratories - which were cleared from the Abbotstown site to facilitate the project - should be added. Part of the cost of upgrading road and public transport links may also be included.
The Taoiseach and the Minister for Tourism are believed to favour a final Cabinet decision to press ahead with the Sports Campus at Abbotstown within weeks, once the report has been examined. Ms Harney's opposition has been to a project that cost £1 billion, and the report is expected to make it clear it would cost considerably less.
However, some PD sources indicated privately yesterday that whatever the consultants conclude, they believe their case against going ahead has been strengthened by the falling Exchequer surplus and worsening economic outlook.
Government supporters of the project say the report will show PD concerns about cost could be met through scaling down the number of seats in the planned stadium from 80,000 to around 65,000; dropping or postponing some ancillary elements of the project; and phasing the construction timetable to spread the costs over a number of years.
The three key elements of the project - the aquatic centre, the stadium and an indoor arena - would be retained.
However, the consultants have been examining the costs and benefits of other proposed elements including a velodrome, golf academy, tennis hall and sports village. Some of these may be jettisoned, at least in the short-term, in order to keep costs down. There is also a proposal to put a retractable roof on the stadium, thus increasing the cost.
The issue may lead to further tensions between the coalition parties should the PDs choose to continue to oppose it in full. A PD spokesman would not comment on the party's attitude yesterday, saying they would await the final report.
With a general election approaching, there is speculation the PDs may oppose the stadium and use the issue to raise their profile. Already this week the party stepped up attempts to define itself as independent of the Government, unveiling its own health policy document just as the Minister for Health was finalising a Government document.