Calls made for government to clarify contribution

Sinn Féin and the GAA have called on the UK government to say how much money it is willing to pay towards redeveloping Casement Park.

On Friday, the government announced it would not fund the redevelopment of the west Belfast stadium in time for the Euro 2028 football tournament.

The focus has now switched to building a venue simply for GAA matches at the site in west Belfast.

Although it will be cheaper than a stadium that can host international football matches, there is a still a financial shortfall. An extra £100m could be needed, and maybe much more.

Secretary of State Hilary Benn is expected to meet the GAA this week.

Questions have been raised about how the government estimated it would cost more than £400m to build Casement in time for Euro 2028.

The GAA said it was substantially more than estimates they had seen.

A government source said: “We commissioned expert independent analysis, which took into account benchmarks from similar stadia builds, and the range of challenges facing this project at this stage.

“This showed that the final cost of stadium that complied with Uefa’s minimum requirements could be more than £400 million.

“A combination of the passage of time, inflation, challenges in the construction sector, the complexity of the project, the need to comply with Uefa’s requirements, and the urgency and uncertainty in the project at this stage have all contributed to this increase in the maximum potential cost.”

BBC News NI’s political editor Enda McClafferty said it was understood the figure for the GAA-only stadium would be in and around £250m, leaving a £130m shortfall to be made up.

He said it was important to bear in mind that Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer kept saying the cupboards were bare, and they were looking at a £22bn black hole.

“It’s in the interest of the government to talk up the cost, as they are letting everybody down in a sense in terms of stepping away from the project in time for the Euros,” he said.

“At the same time it’s in the GAA’s interest to try and manage expectations around cost because they know this will land back in Stormont.”

The Stormont Finance Minister, Sinn Féin’s Caoimhe Archibald, has said the government needs to clarify its position.

”What we need to see now from the British government is them honouring their commitment to funding Casement Park and for them to put their money on the table.”

GAA president Jarlath Burns made similar remarks on BBC NI’s Sunday Politics programme.

“All we are asking the British government now is – tell us how much, so we can build our stadium,” he said.

Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn has not done any interviews since the funding announcement.

Benn said he would “seek engagement with NI partners, including the GAA, on the appropriate way forward for Casement Park”.

The Irish government has made it clear that the money it promised for Casement as part of the Euro 2028 plan is still available.

Taoiseach (Irish PM) Simon Harris said the €50m (£42.2m) his government had pledged remains in place.

“I share the disappointment that Euro 2028 games will not be played at a redeveloped Casement, but we must not lose sight of the opportunity to have another top-class sporting facility in a city that thrives on sport,” he said.

A total of around £120m has been pledged so far – the Dublin government contribution plus £62.5m from the Stormont executive and £15m from the GAA.

A GAA-only stadium would be less expensive but the rising cost of building materials in recent years means it will still require a significant sum of money.

Although the chances of Northern Ireland staging Euro 2028 games appear to have gone, it could still host warm-up matches and be a training base for one of the international teams.

A UK government spokesperson said: ”We are committed to creating a lasting Euro 2028 legacy for the people of the UK and Ireland.

“The redevelopment of Casement Park has been beset by false starts and delays, and exceeds all reasonable expectations on cost.

“As such, it would be irresponsible – given the £22bn black hole inherited from the previous government – to fund a project that has a very high risk of not being completed in good time for the tournament.

“We will continue to work together with partners and Uefa to ensure everyone benefits from Euro 2028.”