UK Government urged to 'clarify position' on rebuilding Casement Park – Sport

Written by Rebecca Black, PA

The UK Government has been urged to “clarify its position” on the rebuilding of Casement Park in Belfast as a venue for the Euro 2028 Championship.

Alliance Party deputy leader Stephen Farry was speaking after reports suggested the UK Government had reservations about covering the funding gap, with the latest estimate suggested at more than £300m.

The GAA Stadium in West Belfast is one of the venues selected to host matches at the Euro 2028 Football Championship, which is being jointly hosted by the UK and Ireland.

European Union officials visited the abandoned site last week.

The redevelopment project has been delayed by a series of planning disputes and legal challenges and the initial estimated cost of £77.5 million has escalated to at least double the original figure, with some suggesting the bill could exceed £200 million.

The government has pledged €50 million for the stadium while the GAA has committed £15 million.

The UK government is facing calls to plug the deficit to ensure it is rebuilt on time.

On Friday, UTV reported that a letter from Northern Ireland Foreign Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris to Stormont Communities Minister Gordon Lyons contained an official estimate for the stadium at around £308 million.

The letter reportedly includes a reference from Mr Heaton-Harris that the UK Government “will not accept a position that would be expected to cover the scale of the funding gap that appears to exist”.

Mr Farry said his party wanted to see Casement Park developed as an important asset for Northern Ireland.

“In the short term, it is needed for the euro in 2028, and then as a wider asset for the GAA and the whole community in Northern Ireland,” he told the PA.

“It's very frustrating right now as there are all kinds of personalities being handed out and no one is putting a reliable figure at the table.

“We need to see clarity and transparency around exactly what is required. We also need to see a clear statement from the UK Government in terms of what they are prepared to do in terms of making a significant contribution on this.

“This will be a huge asset not only to Northern Ireland but to these islands as a whole.”

“The Euros will put these islands on the world stage and will also leave an important legacy, not only in terms of sport but also the infrastructure available to the wider community,” he added.

“The Secretary of State has gone on record as saying that he was ensuring the project would continue, and that he needed to show the color of his money as quickly as possible.

“The longer this goes on, the more this project is in jeopardy. Perhaps the various stakeholders need to get around the negotiating table and discuss any issues between them and be clear with the public in Northern Ireland about what is required in terms of cost and what will happen now in terms of delivery.” Especially about the schedule which is crucial.

Last week, Stormont Finance Minister Caoimhe Archibald said the Executive should redevelop Casement Park because it is a major project.

“We need to see what the British government will bring to the table in terms of this, because they have pledged to do that, as part of the euro, and they will be willing to do that,” she said.

“There have been huge inflationary increases in the cost of implementing infrastructure projects. So it is not surprising that the cost has risen.”

A Northern Ireland Office spokesperson said: “The Northern Ireland Department for Communities is responsible for the redevelopment of Casement Park.

“The UK Government will need to obtain confirmation of the updated cost of the Casement Park project from the Department for Communities before considering in detail the allocation of taxpayer money, particularly in light of the wider public sector funding challenges.”