Casement Park: Government in 'solution-finding mode', O'Dowd says
The UK government is in "solution-finding mode" when it comes to resolving funding for the redevelopment of Casement Park, Stormont's finance minister has said.John O'Dowd was speaking after a meeting in London with Treasury officials ahead of next week's Spending Review.The GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association) ground has been lying derelict for more than a decade.Negotiations have been ongoing to determine if the government will make a contribution to the west Belfast stadium.
A Spending Review, expected on Wednesday 11 June, will see the government lay out its financial plans for day-to-day spending for the next three years.It has largely been viewed as the juncture when it confirms whether or not it will make a financial contribution to help deliver the stalled plans to redevelop the Gaelic games venue.It is estimated that it would cost at least £260m to build a new stadium, but only around £120m is currently available.Stormont's Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has promised £62.5m from the Stormont executive, the GAA say it will pay £15m while the Irish government has pledged around £43m.
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