O'Neill ‘determined to see Casement Park over the line'
The planned refurb of the derelict GAA ground in west Belfast has faced years of delay due to legal action by concerned residents and funding uncertainty.
Asked for an update on the situation during Executive Office questions on Tuesday by SDLP MLA Justin McNulty, Ms O'Neill said she consistently raises Casement Park with all levels of the British and Irish Governments.
First Minister Michelle O'Neill (Liam McBurney/PA)
She was also due to meet with Communities Minister Gordon Lyons to discuss it on Tuesday afternoon.
Currently plans for a 34,000-capacity venue on the site are in limbo due to a major funding gap of around £150 million.
Last year the UK government ended hopes that the Belfast venue would host Euro 2028 soccer games when it said it would not bridge the funding gap to deliver the reconstruction in time.
The Stormont Executive has committed £62.5 million to the redevelopment, the Irish Government has offered roughly £42 million while the GAA has pledged to contribute at least £15 million.
The UK Government has said it will decide if it will make a contribution to the build costs as part of next month's UK-wide Spending Review.
However, Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn has made clear that even if the Government does divert money to the project, the sum will not alone bridge the current funding gap.
On Tuesday, Ms O'Neill said: 'We have to put every bit of energy and effort that we have to ensure that it is will be built.
'This is an Executive flagship project.
'I am determined to see it over the line, and I'm determined to work with all partners to ensure that that is the case.'
DUP sports minister Gordon Lyons takes his seat at his first GAA match, the Armagh vs Derry Senior Football Championship, at the Athletic Ground in Armagh on Saturday (Peter Morrison/PA)
Referring to Mr Lyons attending his first GAA match in post at the weekend, Ms O'Neill said she hopes he 'got a sense of how important it is to Gaels right across this island to play games in their own stadiums'.
'But I am absolutely determined to ensure that we get movement on Casement Park, and that means working with the minister, that means working with the British government, the Irish government, the GAA and all partners who are committed to ensuring that this project gets over the line.
'It is going to take all the partners working together to ensure that it is across the line.
'We missed a huge opportunity in terms of the Euros not being able to play and have our part in all of that, and the economic benefit that that would have brought to us all.
'It's a long overdue home for Ulster Gaels, and it is now time to get it built.
'I can say that I am determined to continue to work with everybody to ensure that the funding contribution is put on the table so that we can get on with actually building the project.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South Wales Guardian
an hour ago
- South Wales Guardian
Minister to be referred to standards commissioner following Larne fire
Prior to the fire, Gordon Lyons posted on social media that the leisure centre had been used to accommodate several people following riotous behaviour in the town of Ballymena, which is 30 minutes away. Matthew O'Toole, the leader of the opposition in the Northern Ireland Assembly, said he would refer the minister to the commissioner. Mr Lyons said on Wednesday: 'As a local MLA for the area, neither I nor my DUP Council colleagues were made aware or consulted on this decision until late this afternoon.' He added: 'It has now been confirmed to us by the PSNI and Council that all these individuals are in the care of the Housing Executive and have been moved out of Larne. 'Protesting is of course a legitimate right but violence is not and I would encourage everyone to remain peaceful.' A fire later broke out at the centre following vandalism at the facility on the third night of disorder in Northern Ireland. Masked individuals smashed windows at the leisure centre in Co Antrim on Wednesday and set fires outside which spread inside. Mid and East Antrim Borough Council said the facility had been designated as an emergency rest centre for those in urgent need following disturbances in nearby Ballymena but the families had been safely relocated elsewhere. Police and firefighters worked to bring the blaze under control on Wednesday night. Mr Lyons condemned the damage inflicted on Larne Leisure Centre and said it only serves to hurt residents of the town. He said: 'The violence and disorder witnessed on our streets over recent nights serves no purpose. Wanton destruction such as the attack on Larne Leisure Centre is an attack on all residents who use the facility. 'There is absolutely no excuse for what has taken place in Larne, and it must be condemned.' Mr O'Toole, an SDLP MLA, said: 'The actions of the Communities Minister cannot be ignored. 'He is the minister response for the Housing Executive and lives are at stake.' He said the opposition will refer Mr Lyons to the standards commissioner on Thursday and 'explore all other options for accountability'. The fire coincided with a third night of public disorder in Ballymena. The violence began around Clonavon Terrace on Monday night following an earlier peaceful protest which was organised in support of the family of a girl who was the victim of an alleged sexual assault in the area. Two teenage boys, who spoke to a court through a Romanian interpreter, have been charged. The DUP has been contacted for comment.
North Wales Chronicle
an hour ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Minister to be referred to standards commissioner following Larne fire
Prior to the fire, Gordon Lyons posted on social media that the leisure centre had been used to accommodate several people following riotous behaviour in the town of Ballymena, which is 30 minutes away. Matthew O'Toole, the leader of the opposition in the Northern Ireland Assembly, said he would refer the minister to the commissioner. Mr Lyons said on Wednesday: 'As a local MLA for the area, neither I nor my DUP Council colleagues were made aware or consulted on this decision until late this afternoon.' He added: 'It has now been confirmed to us by the PSNI and Council that all these individuals are in the care of the Housing Executive and have been moved out of Larne. 'Protesting is of course a legitimate right but violence is not and I would encourage everyone to remain peaceful.' A fire later broke out at the centre following vandalism at the facility on the third night of disorder in Northern Ireland. Masked individuals smashed windows at the leisure centre in Co Antrim on Wednesday and set fires outside which spread inside. Mid and East Antrim Borough Council said the facility had been designated as an emergency rest centre for those in urgent need following disturbances in nearby Ballymena but the families had been safely relocated elsewhere. Police and firefighters worked to bring the blaze under control on Wednesday night. Mr Lyons condemned the damage inflicted on Larne Leisure Centre and said it only serves to hurt residents of the town. He said: 'The violence and disorder witnessed on our streets over recent nights serves no purpose. Wanton destruction such as the attack on Larne Leisure Centre is an attack on all residents who use the facility. 'There is absolutely no excuse for what has taken place in Larne, and it must be condemned.' Mr O'Toole, an SDLP MLA, said: 'The actions of the Communities Minister cannot be ignored. 'He is the minister response for the Housing Executive and lives are at stake.' He said the opposition will refer Mr Lyons to the standards commissioner on Thursday and 'explore all other options for accountability'. The fire coincided with a third night of public disorder in Ballymena. The violence began around Clonavon Terrace on Monday night following an earlier peaceful protest which was organised in support of the family of a girl who was the victim of an alleged sexual assault in the area. Two teenage boys, who spoke to a court through a Romanian interpreter, have been charged. The DUP has been contacted for comment.
Belfast Telegraph
an hour ago
- Belfast Telegraph
Micheal Martin to attend major North-South business conference
Mr Martin will address the Joint Business Council All-island Business Conference in Dundalk on Thursday. The conference is centred around protecting all-island business in a new global environment, with heightened geopolitical disruption. The event will bring together more than 150 business leaders, stakeholders and public policymakers to focus on the 'interconnected and cost-effective ways that businesses operate on an all-island basis'. The conference is jointly held by businesses representative groups the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) and the Irish Business and Employers Confederation (Ibec). They said businesses across the island are eager to see aligned policy support from both the UK and Irish governments that unlocks economic opportunities and broadens the benefits of cross-border cooperation. According to Ibec and the CBI, more must be done to strengthen and future-proof the all-island economy by enhancing collaboration around trade, infrastructure, sustainability, workforce integration, private investment and long-term resilience. Danny McCoy, CEO of Ibec, said: 'The restoration of the North-South Ministerial Council has cleared the way for improved cooperation across the island. 'However, the rise in global uncertainty stemming from US trade and tariff policies and growing geopolitical disruption means the all-island economy must focus on building resilience and deepening collaboration.' Rain Newton-Smith, chief executive of the CBI, said the conference comes at a critical time for businesses across Northern Ireland, Great Britain and the EU. She added: 'The disruptive impact of tariffs, tax retaliation, and a changing global order has only reinforced the urgent need to strengthen cross-border economic ties on the island of Ireland. 'In the current climate, policy stability and certainty are not optional but are prerequisites for investment in sectors that matter most to both of our economies, from manufacturing and agri-food to life sciences.
