‘Onus back on Executive' over rebuilding of Casement Park, Benn says
The onus is on the Northern Ireland Executive over the rebuilding of Casement Park, Secretary of State Hilary Benn has said.
Mr Benn set out that either more funding is found for the long-delayed GAA stadium or the current plans are scaled back.
He was speaking to the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee on Monday after the UK Government pledged £50 million earlier this month for the project.
There are also pledges of £62.5 million from Stormont, £43 million from the Irish Government and £15 million from the GAA.
However, the current plan for a 34,000-capacity stadium is still short of cash with a reported estimate of £260 million, while just over £170 million is currently available.
Stormont ministers committed £62.5 million to Casement in 2011 as part of a strategy to revamp it along with football's Windsor Park and the rugby ground at Ravenhill.
While the two other Belfast-based projects went ahead, the redevelopment of Casement was delayed for several years because of legal challenges by local residents.
The estimated cost spiralled in the interim.
Mr Benn put to MPs that there are two ways to proceed.
'One is to find more resources from elsewhere and I think the onus is back now on the (Stormont) Executive whose project this is, dating from 2011,' he said.
'Either you find more money to get it towards the current assessed cost or the nature of the design is scaled back to fit the funds that are available.
'Those are broadly the two choices, or some meeting point in between, but I do think that it gives quite an impetus to the project.
'The Executive has wanted to do this since 2011, there are particular reasons to do with planning which have made it difficult, and that's been significantly responsible for delay.'
Mr Benn also cautioned that the current planning permission is due to expire next summer and said to have to reapply for planning permission would cause further delay.
He added: 'Windsor Park has been done, Ravenhill has been done, but Casement Park has not.
'I want the people of Northern Ireland to be able to enjoy those three great sporting traditions in three stadia. That's why the Government's made the contribution.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
26 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Proposed changes to divorce law could end blame game
A consultation on the divorce process has been launched by the Executive that could see changes to the way people legally separate in Northern Ireland. The current law requires couples to either go through a lengthy separation before a divorce is granted, or proceedings can begin straight away if one person is at fault either through desertion, adultery, or unreasonable behaviour. Joan Davis, CEO of counselling service Relate NI, said the current law is "outdated and not in keeping with modern society and how relationships come and go - it's just the reality of life". The biggest issue, she said, is the length of time that a couple must be separated before being able to begin the process. Currently, a couple is unable to apply for a divorce, or in the case of a civil partnership - a dissolution, within the first two years of marriage. Once that time period has been reached, a divorce petition must be based on at least one of five reasons: two years' separation with the consent of the other spouse to divorce five years' separation unreasonable behaviour adultery desertion The same grounds apply for the dissolution of a civil partnership, with the exception of adultery. The most recent figures for Northern Ireland show that the majority of people who filed for divorce in 2023 list separation as the reason. "Why would a legal system and a society want to persecute people more when a relationship is broken down by keeping them tied together and increasing that level of anxiety, adding to an already huge mental health crisis?," Ms Davis told BBC News NI. "Divorce numbers aren't going to change, and if they do change the legislation there's not going to be a rush of people running to the courts for divorce." Ms Davis said blaming one person for the end of the marriage can have a negative impact on the wider family unit. "Is that a good thing for a parent to be doing, you know? So the children then know how bad that other parent is? "If mum or dad has spent so much time explaining how bad they are, and it's all their fault, it's really not good for family life." Finance Minister John O'Dowd said the options being put forward "could reduce the conflict that can arise from divorce or dissolution". "Many marriages and civil partnerships are loving, happy and last a lifetime, but unfortunately some don't and break down for a number of reasons," he said. "This can have a devastating effect on those families, especially where children are involved, and can lead to additional and unnecessary conflict." Clare Curran, Director at Curran Bowles family law, said Northern Ireland's divorce laws are "very antiquated", adding that they should "fall in line with the English system". She said the two systems used to be similar, but after many Stormont collapses Northern Ireland has fallen behind in terms of "modernising the application for divorce process". "It doesn't work. It's slow and arduous, so everybody just gets into this blame game, which is really contentious and actually expensive." Ms Curran said it's about "striking the right balance, making sure that it's not too easy". "You don't want to dilute the meaning of marriage and the importance of the consequence of marriage by making it super easy to be able to dissolve a marriage. "Since the reform in England, it's only been a positive thing. It makes the process easier, more accessible, quicker and cheaper. "So, what's not to like about that?" The alternative options included in the consultation are largely based around how divorce works in the Republic of Ireland, England and Wales. The first is for the current law to remain the same with no change. Second, is the introduction of an administrative, no-fault divorce, similar to what is offered in England Wales. This means that one person can apply for a divorce and does not need to prove a reason why beyond the breakdown of the relationship. Supporters say it allows for a quicker, less contentious divorce with the process typically taking around 6 months. The third option is also a no-fault divorce, but closer to what is in place in the Republic of Ireland. Like option two, this means that no specific reason has to be provided to instigate proceedings, and no-one has to take blame for the end of the marriage. However, it's a lengthier process, as the couple does have to show they have lived apart for at least two out of the three previous years and that there is no possibility of reconciliation. The consultation will run until 26 September. End of blame game in divorce laws
Yahoo
27 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Formula 4 drivers to feature at Grand Prix weekend
Dominic Stott (right) will manage Hitech racing's five F4 entries at the British GP, including Anglo-Algerian driver Leo Robinson (left) [Robert Constantin/BBC] Motorsport history will be made at this year's British Grand Prix when four different classifications of formula racing compete at the same event for the first time. Silverstone Circuit will host Formula 1, Formula 2, Formula 3 and Formula 4, as part of F1's 75th anniversary celebrations. Advertisement The Northamptonshire track is expected to host about 480,000 people from 3 to 6 July. Dominic Stott, from Silverstone-based Hitech which runs teams in F2, F3 and F4, said the addition of F4 to the event schedule was a "milestone moment" for its young drivers. "This event will provide an incredible stage for them to showcase their talent in front of hundreds of thousands of fans, and the Formula 1 teams they hope to go on to race for," he said. The F4 British Championship, which held its inaugural season in 2015, has been a training ground for a number of drivers who have gone on to race in F1, including current McLaren team-mates Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. Advertisement F4's Silverstone appearance will be a non-points scoring round for its 2025 Championship and will consist of two 25-minute plus one-lap races, with track action taking place across Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Stott added: "While there are no points at stake for this event, I am sure they [our drivers] will be looking to shine on the F1 stage and make the most of this very special opportunity." About 480,000 people are expected to visit Silverstone in Northamptonshire for the British Grand Prix weekend [Getty Images] Eve Lake-Grange, British F4 Championship manager, said: "To have the opportunity to compete on the support bill of Formula 1 at the British Grand Prix is something that we've been working towards for a long time, so we are delighted to have been able to now make it happen. Advertisement "We pride ourselves on being the first step on the pathway to Formula 1, and for our drivers to be able to see the potential career roadmap that is ahead of them – on the same weekend that they are competing – will be both special and inspiring." What is Formula 4? Formula 4 serves as an entry-level series for drivers transitioning from karting. The British F4 Championship is open to drivers aged 15 and over and offers a training ground for aspiring F1 drivers to adapt to the higher speeds, aerodynamics and handling of open-wheel cars. Vehicles in the category are designed with a far less technical specification when compared with higher formula categories, with the intention of making them more accessible and cost-effective for both drivers and teams. Advertisement F4 cars can reach a top speed of about 150mph (240km/h), while F1 cars race at up to 230mph (370km/h). Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. More on this story Related internet links
Yahoo
28 minutes ago
- Yahoo
£10k to invest? 3 investment trusts to target a £1,410 second income this year
Dividends can never be guaranteed, and especially during economic downturns. UK shares are typically known as good shares to buy for investors targeting a second income. But British companies aren't immune to the profits problems that can impact shareholder payouts. Purchasing dividend-focused investment trusts can be a great way to reduce (if not completely eliminate) these threats. These financial vehicles often hold stakes in a variety of companies. So problems felt by a handful of companies doesn't necessarily mean that investors' dividend income collapses. With this in mind, here are three top trusts I think could be great sources of long-term passive income. If broker forecasts are correct, a £15,000 lump sum spread equally among them will yield a £1,410 second income this year alone. Economic bumpiness in China has been a problem for Henderson Far East Income (LSE:HFEL) recently. Trouble in its core market (and contagion to nearby economies) has caused its share price to drop. This has, in turn, supercharged its dividend yield. While risks remain, I think this emerging market trust could deliver great long-term returns. I certainly expect it to continue raising dividends for the foreseeable future (annual rewards have risen every year since 2008). This Henderson trust holds stakes in around 70 companies. These range across sectors and include Alibaba, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co and China CITIC Bank. I think it's worth considering as way to capitalise on soaring Asian wealth and population levels. As its name implies, the Chelverton UK Dividend Trust (LSE:SDV) is focused on generating returns from London-listed shares. This leaves it more vulnerable to nation-specific risks than continental or investment trusts. But with more than 60 holdings, and a focus on mid-to-small-cap companies, it still offers a diversified approach that can provide long-term payout growth. Dividends here have risen consistently for the past 14 years. Like Henderson Far East Income, Chelverton's capital is spread across a wide spectrum of sectors. Industrial goods and services, financial services, and construction are especially well represented through shares like Smiths News, Duke Royalty, and Severfield. Small-cap shares like this can be more volatile than blue-chip stocks, which is a risk to consider. However, they can also have superior growth potential over time. As a real estate investment trust (REIT), this particular vehicle's set up in a way that prioritises dividends income. Sector rules mean that 90% of rental earnings must be paid out each year. This doesn't always guarantee a reliable passive income. But Social Housing REIT (LSE:SOHO) focuses on the stable supported housing sector, which provides a cushion of safety. Please note that tax treatment depends on the individual circumstances of each client and may be subject to change in future. The content in this article is provided for information purposes only. It is not intended to be, neither does it constitute, any form of tax advice. Unlike those other two trusts, this one doesn't invest in equities. Instead, it holds a portfolio of almost 500 residential properties comprising around 3,500 homes. This helps protect group earnings from problems (such as rent collection or cost issues) at one or two locations. Despite interest rate risks, I think this property trust is worth serious consideration for dividends. The post £10k to invest? 3 investment trusts to target a £1,410 second income this year appeared first on The Motley Fool UK. More reading 5 Stocks For Trying To Build Wealth After 50 One Top Growth Stock from the Motley Fool Royston Wild has no position in any of the shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has recommended Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. Motley Fool UK 2025 Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
