The highly controversial £240m (€318m) multi-sport stadium should be built at the site of the former Maze prison, a leaked consultants' report has revealed.

The feasibility study found that the Maze site, just outside Lisburn represented the best value for money for a 38,500-seat venue for rugby, football and Gaelic games.

Stormont Finance Minister Peter Robinson is currently reviewing the report, compiled by consultants from PricewaterhouseCoopers, before being passed to his Executive colleagues.

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The report looked into a range of proposals, including the option of a stadium in north Belfast and the refurbishment of the three existing sport venues.

However, it has recommended that the Maze site is the most viable option, and estimated that the construction of the stadium would cost £126m (€166m) with a further £114m (€151m) required for infrastructure improvements.

The consultants said a venue at Long Kesh had the potential to generate significant revenue and claimed that the overall cost to the taxpayer after the first fours years of operation would be £37m (€49m).

(VB)