There is "significant" private-sector interest in the National Stadium project, the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism said today.
Today marks the closing date for submissions of expressions of interest in the controversial project, popularly known as the "Bertie Bowl".
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An artist's impression of the proposed National Stadium at Abbotstown.
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The appeal for interest came following a climb-down by the Government last month when it announced it would seek private-sector funding for the proposed National Stadium, which was planned for Abbottstown, Co Dublin.
The Government decision not to fund the project with Exchequer funds came following a Cabinet meeting on September 10th.
Opposition to the project reportedly came from some elements within Fianna Fáil and the party's coalition partner the Progressive Democrats, particularly from the Tánaiste, Ms Harney.
The plan for a National Stadium was first announced in January 2000, when the Government decided to build the facility, which would be the centrepiece of a "campus of sporting excellence."
The cost at that initial stage was estimated at €356 million but deteriorating public finances and opposition to the project forced the Taoiseach to abandon plans for a publicly-funded stadium.
To date, €63.9 million has been spent on the overall campus project: €55.5 on the construction of the aquatic and leisure centre; €6.1 million for CSID administration, executive services and project management; and €2.3 million in respect of infrastructure, master planning and other site surveys for the whole campus site.
The Department said it would make no further comment until next week.
