Shane Cassells (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State and thank her for taking this Commencement matter in respect of the development of Casement Park in Belfast. Indeed, Senator Micheál Carrigy and I have just come from the Oireachtas sports committee where we launched a report on inclusion in sport.One of the first recommendations in the report in respect of our work concerns the need for the methodology for assessing proposals for State support in the hosting of major sports events to consider inclusion in sport, but nothing could result in better inclusion in sport than the development of Casement Park as a symbol of unifying areas in Northern Ireland and the bringing together of different sports codes and cultural beliefs. In that respect, the statement by the Taoiseach last week in Belfast to pledge Irish Government support of €50 million was extremely welcome. It generated a great sense of confidence in the GAA, the owner of the grounds, but also in the IFA, the sponsoring body of the UEFA tournament in Northern Ireland.

We have seen the positive work on clearing the site in the past week, and it will continue until April. After a decade of weeds growing up, we have now seen great movement. Unfortunately, there was negativity straight away, particularly from those in the Democratic Unionist Party, who sought to pour cold water on the initiative. Jeffrey Donaldson stated the Irish Government's contribution did not fill the gaping hole in funds that was required to be filled. Furthermore, DUP MP Jim Shannon said money should be diverted elsewhere and said at a meeting of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee that the cost of the stadium had, in his opinion, risen to €257 million. I welcome the fact that the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Chris Heaton-Harris, said at the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee meeting that he had not yet got a costing. He stressed the importance of the massive economic and social gains to be derived from the development of Casement Park. Then, unfortunately, he went on to compare, somehow, the cock-up that is the HS2 rail line in England to Casement Park, stating the British Government has demonstrated in what it is done with HS2 that if something becomes way too expensive, things have to change. The cock-up in England is a £36 billion cock-up. What we are seeking as an island is the honouring of the commitment by the very same Secretary of State, given last year, to the effect that if Casement Park were successful as part of the joint bid between Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales in respect of the UEFA Championships, the UK Government would not be found wanting in supporting it. It is time for it to step up. Things are getting serious. UEFA is in town today and tomorrow in Belfast meeting the IFA in respect of this.

It is quite worrying that the Belfast Telegraphreported this morning that UEFA is aware of the opposition to Northern Ireland playing in Casement Park but that it would like to stage the tournament in Northern Ireland as part of the joint bid. That said, if it feels that Belfast will not deliver by the summer, it will move on. That is the seriousness of what we face. Using Casement Park would be a huge gain for the entire island of Ireland, as demonstrated by the Irish Government. The grounds are entitled to the moneys promised, just like Windsor Park and Ravenhill Stadium. I ask that we proceed not only through our financial contribution but stress to the UK Government the need for it to act to ensure the stadium is built.