Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Cuirim fáilte ar ais go dtí an Teach seo roimh an Aire Stáit inniu. I thank the Minister of State for taking time out of his busy schedule to be here.

I, like many other sports fans in the country, was delighted with the successful bid by the UK and Ireland to host the 2028 European championship. This has given sports fans a major tournament to look forward to. I commend the Minister of State on his input into the successful bid.

However, with the logistics of the tournament and the investment to be made in Antrim’s Casement Park, fears have grown locally in Monaghan, in particular, in Clones, about the future of St. Tiernach’s Park, the spiritual home of the Ulster final. If a stadium could talk, St. Tiernach’s Park would regale us with tales of epic battles and legions of exuberant supporters through the years. Apart from a genuine affection for the place and the memories of thousands of fans, the importance of the Ulster final in Clones simply cannot be understated. Thousands of people descending upon the small town and stopping along the way there and back at shops, pubs, service stations and cafés brings in considerable money, not just to the town of Clones but the entire economy of County Monaghan.

Socially and economically, we cannot begrudge the reinvigoration of west Belfast and its potential for commerce and employment. We have noted the comment made by An Taoiseach that he is willing to invest in the redevelopment of the facility in Belfast. However, Clones also has great potential. The local community has worked diligently and earnestly in recent decades to promote the town's cause and future. They point out that nowhere suffered more economically during the years of conflict than the once-bursting Border town of Clones. In addition, no town holds its stadium more closely to its heart than the people of Clones do. The euro, pounds, pennies and cents that come to Clones and its hinterland - not to mention the wider business community in Monaghan – are seismic to the local economy.

For these reasons, fears are growing locally that Casement Park’s gain could be Clones’ loss. I sincerely hope the Minister of State can assuage those fears this afternoon so that the people of Clones can look forward to developing St. Tiernach’s Park even further to host many other big matches in the future.