The Government is “absolutely committed” to pursuing the redevelopment of Casement Park in Belfast in time for the Euro 2028 soccer tournament, Taoiseach Simon Harris has said.
He told Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald that the Government “has been absolutely clear that we want to see the redevelopment of Casement Park, and its delivery in time to host the Euro 2028 games and that’s why our funding commitment was confirmed in February”.
Mr Harris said “we remain absolutely committed and I intend to continue to pursue this and work with the Northern Ireland executive and the British government”.
The Government made a commitment of €50 million to the redevelopment as part of an €800 million cross-Border funding package, while the GAA pledged €17.5 million. The British government said it will make “a significant contribution” but has given no exact figure.
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The Taoiseach pointed out that Casement Park Developments is owned and managed by the GAA working with the Northern Ireland Executive.
“It is for these partners to confirm the overall funding approach to deliver the redeveloped stadium. While it is a matter for Uefa to confirm, it’s understood that the Uefa decision in principle on hosting Euro 2028 matches at the redeveloped Casement Park in Belfast will be made in the coming weeks,” he said.
Ms McDonald raised the issue in the Dáil in the wake of comments by GAA president Jarlath Burns who expressed pessimism that Belfast would be a host of the soccer tournament in 2028.
“Whenever an election is called, you enter into what we call purdah, where governments are not allowed to make big donations or big announcements,” he said of the British general election.
“It’s very handy for the Conservative government that they get out of having to do it. The Gaelic Athletic Association will always be in a very precarious position when we find ourselves depending on the goodwill of the British government. It’s never worked out for us before.
“I’m very, very disappointed with the pace of how it’s gone. It’s not looking as if we’re going to get the Euros.”
Ms McDonald said the opportunity to be part of hosting Euro 2028 was cited as a further incentive to get this project done. The redevelopment has, however, been dogged by delays.
The original estimated cost was €90 million a decade ago but has risen sharply with the latest suggested price set at about €355 million.
The Sinn Féin leader was “very, very concerned that the current British government, the Tory government, is walking off the pitch with a bag full of broken promises”.
We remain absolutely committed and I intend to continue to pursue this and work with the Northern Ireland Executive and the British government
— Simon Harris
She called on the Taoiseach to reiterate the Government’s commitment to the funding and delivery of a redeveloped stadium.
Ms McDonald asked him to guarantee “the expectation in Dublin that whoever is in government in No 10 Downing Street, that that commitment will be honoured in full and that the stalling, the delay and the bad premises will end, that we will see Casement Park constructed in west Belfast”.
Mr Harris said “we remain absolutely committed and I intend to continue to pursue this and work with the Northern Ireland Executive and the British government”.
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