Northern Ireland

‘Do not miss this once in a lifetime opportunity’ - West Belfast MP welcomes Taoiseach’s hints at extra Casement Park funding

Sinn Féin’s Paul Maskey welcomed positive comments on the future of Casement Park from Simon Harris and the Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn

The money required to rebuild the stadium in time for the Euro 2028 tournament is not yet in place
The money required to rebuild the stadium in time for the Euro 2028 tournament is not yet in place (Niall Carson/PA)
By Allan Preston

Hints that the Irish government may be prepared to dig deeper to realise Casement Park’s completion in time for the Euros have been welcomed.

With growing speculation that funding uncertainty could see the derelict west Belfast GAA stadium dropped as a host venue for Euro 2028, Taoiseach Simon Harris appeared to offer a lifeline on Sunday.

The Irish Government has already committed €50 million (£42m).

Asked if he was prepared to increase that spend, Mr Harris told the BBC’s Sunday Politics his government “won’t be found wanting”.

“In principle, we are – but I think we have to take a little step back here,” he said.

“The Irish Government has already committed funding to Casement. I really want to see this developed.”

He said “encouraging words” from the new Northern Ireland secretary Hilary Benn made him confident the project would be completed, but “the question now is a matter of timing”.

“I think it would be a huge, missed opportunity if we had a situation where Euro 2028 was being hosted across these two islands and we couldn’t see games played in Northern Ireland.”

He added: “I’d like to work constructively with Prime Minister (Sir Keir) Starmer and with my colleagues across government and with the Northern Ireland Executive, the GAA and others to see how best to move forward.”

Mr Harris said the matter would be on the agenda when he met the UK prime minister next week, adding: “We need to have conversations to understand where the British Government’s head is at on this matter too.”

Mr Benn has called Casement Park a “very important project” and promised that he is urgently looking at the issues around cost and remaining time for constructing the venue.

Sinn Fein’s Paul Maskey gives a speech after he retains his seat
Sinn Fein’s Paul Maskey has said he remains hopeful Casement Park will be built in time. (Liam McBurney/PA)

Commenting on the latest developments, Sinn Féin’s West Belfast MP Paul Maskey told The Irish News: “I welcome the positive comments from both the Irish government and the British government in recent days.

“Hosting Euro 2028 in a newly developed Casement Park will be a social and economic driver for communities throughout the north, with the local economy set to enjoy at least a £100m boost.

“We all should seize the huge opportunities ahead and ensure we do not miss this once in a lifetime opportunity.”

On Thursday, the Tánaiste Micheál Martin also met Mr Benn at Hillsborough Castle and called for clarity over the funding.

“It will be important that there is clarity over the costs involved and what is the overall target that’s required to bring this to realisation in time for the Euros,” he said.

“Also, then, to work out the methodology to achieve that.”

If successful, Casement Park would host five matches as part of the UK and Ireland’s joint hosting of the 2028 European football championship.

Having originally been costed at £77m, reports on the final bill have reached as high as £308m.

In 2011, the Stormont Executive had committed another £62.5m while the GAA has maintained its original funding commitment of £15m.

With Mr Benn waiting on detailed briefings of the true cost, supporters of Casement for 2028 will be hoping that the positive mood music between the British and Irish government and Mr Harris’ recent comments will translate into action.