Heaton-Harris not running for re-election and a general election around the corner.
Can't shake the feeling the current plan is to leave it in the in-tray for Labour to deal with.
https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/arid-41399506.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
Can't shake the feeling the current plan is to leave it in the in-tray for Labour to deal with.
QuoteDoubts cast over Casement Park being ready for Euro 2028
GAA president Jarlath Burns has called on Chris Heaton-Harris to "make good" on his assurances last year that the money would be found for the stadium.
MON, 20 MAY, 2024 - 21:08
JOHN FOGARTY
Delays in the British government's commitment to the rebuild of Casement Park have cast doubt over the stadium being ready to host Euro 2028 games.
At Saturday's GAA Central Council meeting, director general Tom Ryan relayed to delegates that there was no update from London about how much they are prepared to contribute to the reconstruction.
In the context of the imminent deadlines that have to be met for the Belfast stadium to be a venue for the competition, there is growing concern in the GAA that the British government will not deliver on assurances given last year.
The stadium's listing as a Euro 2028 venue is considered integral to the additional funding that had been assured by the UK Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Chris Heaton-Harris.
GAA president Jarlath Burns has called on Heaton-Harris to "make good" on his assurances last year that the money would be found for the stadium. However, the minister has baulked at the possibility the final bill for the reconstruction could exceed £308 million (€360.35m).
That figure has been disputed on the GAA side but as the Irish Examiner reported last month, the cost could be amplified by the discovery of waste materials on the Andersonstown Road grounds.
The Stormont Executive's original contribution in 2011 was £62.5m (€73.12m), while the Government in February announced a commitment of €50m (£42.74m). The GAA has refused to increase its original £15m (€17.55m). Another £13m (€15.21m) was recently committed to Casement Park from Stormont as an "executive flagship project".
Earlier this month, First Minister Michelle O'Neill insisted the stadium would be built in time for the Euros in June 2028.
"Hosting the 2028 European Championship in a world-class Casement Park presents our island and economy with an unprecedented opportunity, and it's going to be an enormous opportunity, and it's going to be a fantastic investment, and we are going to build Casement Park."
https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/arid-41399506.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter