5 days ago
DUP's Gordon Lyons suggests GAA consider 'more modest' Casement Park option
Sports Minister Gordon Lyons has suggested the GAA consider a more "modest" stadium build for Casement Park.
The DUP MLA said he had met with the Northern Ireland Secretary and the GAA president Jarlath Burns recently.
"At this point," he told View from Stormont, "we are waiting for the government to make clear what, if any, contribution they are willing to give.
"As minister for sport I will always welcome more money for sport and sporting infrastructure but I have made it clear to the government it will have to be done on a fair and equitable basis."
He said there were still needs and demands in other sports.
On the meeting with GAA president Jarlath Burns, Mr Lyons described it as good. There have been reports of tensions between the two men.
The minister said there had been "a lot of mischief making" from political parties and some in the media on the matter.
He suggested the GAA should consider a more "modest" option for the redevelopment of the stadium which has sat derelict for the past 10 years.
"When it comes down to it the Casement, the issue is about pounds and pence," he added.
"There is a shortfall and when there is a shortfall you either need to find additional sources of money or look at the plans again.
"If or when the government take a decision.... that's then the time for the GAA to consider what their plans are and if they are willing to look at a more modest Casement Park development. That's in the hands of the GAA."
He said that was set out "clearly" to the GAA in his meeting with its president, "and there were certainly no issues that arose from that".
The MLA also defended setting out a proposal to start building up to 1,000 new social homes this year despite a pledge by the Executive to build many more.
Earlier this year the Executive set out a pledge to build 5,850 over three years, equating to just under 2,000 a year.
Gordon Lyons said there could be additional money coming to his department later down the line. He also said he was meeting the Deputy Prime Minister Angela Raynor to make a case to allow borrowing off existing housing stock which could provide more funding both for improvements and building.
He said this was a simple move for the government to make.
Speaking to Vicki Hawthorne on View From Stormont, the DUP MLA said he hoped more cash come come from the forthcoming spending review in London.
The minister also pledged a positive announcement on the long-awaited development of Bangor sea front.
