The Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment, Mary Harney, has welcomed today's announcement by the FAI of plans to construct a new national stadium in South West Dublin.

"This has been a dream for the FAI and for supporters of the national game for many years now," said the Tánaiste. "To finally see that dream on the verge of fruition is a tremendous tribute to the work and determination applied to the project by FAI officials."

Ms Harney was keen to point out that the location of the stadium adjacent to the recently constructed City West Business Park will be a huge boost to the surrounding catchment area much of which is sadly lacking in the type of facilities and employment opportunities which the project will generate. "With the appropriate traffic and safety precautions this will be of major benefit for Saggart, Rathcoole Clondalkin and Newcastle and I welcome it wholeheartedly.