Latest news with #CasementPark
The Independent
5 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
‘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.'
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
‘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.'
The Independent
20-06-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Leaders on both sides of the border urge completion of Casement Park
Leaders on both sides of the border have urged all partners to 'find a way' to complete Casement Park. Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill said that it is now time for all those involved to sit around the table and find a way to start and complete the project. Irish premier Micheal Martin said the opportunity to build the stadium should 'be seized', while deputy premier Simon Harris warned against looking back to see that the moment was 'squandered'. Earlier this month, a UK Government pledge of £50 million for the development of the west Belfast GAA stadium was included in Chancellor Rachel Reeves' spending review. However, that pledge still leaves the project far from its funding target under current plans. Plans for a 34,000-capacity stadium at the site have been mired in uncertainty because of a major funding gap. 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. Speaking at a meeting of the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) in Armagh, Ms O'Neill said it is time for all partners to 'find a way to complete' Casement Park. Ms O'Neill said: 'We all have a role in making sure we get to that point.' Asked if the GAA should reconsider the plans for the west Belfast stadium development based on existing commitments for funding, Ms O'Neill said the stadium is now more expensive than if it had been built 'a long time ago'. She said the delays were due to a 'whole plague of problems' including planning and political issues. She said the redevelopment would bring 'major social and economic benefits'. Ms O'Neill added that Casement Park is an Executive flagship project. 'We now know what the pot of funding that we have on the table, but now it's time for all partners involved to get together and sit around the table and find a way now to complete and start the work on the project and to complete the project,' she added. 'I think we all have a role to play in terms of making sure we get to that point. 'But I think it's now time that we now know and understand the quantum of funding, that we now sit down together and actually work out the next step.' Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said it is 'now over to the GAA' to set out their expectations on their own contribution to the west Belfast stadium and any potential revisions to the development. She said there was a 'significant amount of need' in other sporting areas across the region with other facilities also needing to be upgraded. She added: 'We need to do so with fairness and equity. 'They are sitting on, I think, approximately £161 or £162 million worth of public spending. 'It's now over to the GAA to decide can they cut their coat according to their cloth, or what their expectations are in relation to their own contribution.' She added that the GAA can 'do a huge amount' with existing funding commitments for Casement Park, and that the GAA should indicate what its contribution increase should be. Mr Martin said the Irish Government had given a 'very substantial' allocation to the project. 'I believe the prospect really exists for a stadium to be agreed and built and this is an opportunity that should be seized in a practical and realistic way.' Mr Harris said the recent UK funding announcement was a 'huge step forward' for the project. He said the Irish Government stands ready to assist the project and warned against looking back to see that the moment was 'squandered'.
BreakingNews.ie
20-06-2025
- Business
- BreakingNews.ie
Leaders on both sides of the border urge completion of Casement Park
Leaders on both sides of the border have urged all partners to 'find a way' to complete Casement Park. Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill said that it is now time for all those involved to sit around the table and find a way to start and complete the project. Advertisement Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the opportunity to build the stadium should 'be seized', while Tánaiste Simon Harris warned against looking back to see that the moment was 'squandered'. Earlier this month, a UK government pledge of £50 million for the development of the west Belfast GAA stadium was included in chancellor Rachel Reeves' spending review. However, that pledge still leaves the project far from its funding target under current plans. Plans for a 34,000-capacity stadium at the site have been mired in uncertainty because of a major funding gap. Advertisement 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. Speaking at a meeting of the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) in Armagh, Ms O'Neill said it is time for all partners to 'find a way to complete' Casement Park. Advertisement Ms O'Neill said: 'We all have a role in making sure we get to that point.' Asked if the GAA should reconsider the plans for the west Belfast stadium development based on existing commitments for funding, Ms O'Neill said the stadium is now more expensive than if it had been built 'a long time ago'. She said the delays were due to a 'whole plague of problems' including planning and political issues. She said the redevelopment would bring 'major social and economic benefits'. Advertisement Ms O'Neill added that Casement Park is an Executive flagship project. 'We now know what the pot of funding that we have on the table, but now it's time for all partners involved to get together and sit around the table and find a way now to complete and start the work on the project and to complete the project,' she added. 'I think we all have a role to play in terms of making sure we get to that point. 'But I think it's now time that we now know and understand the quantum of funding, that we now sit down together and actually work out the next step.' Advertisement Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said it is 'now over to the GAA' to set out their expectations on their own contribution to the west Belfast stadium and any potential revisions to the development. She said there was a 'significant amount of need' in other sporting areas across the region with other facilities also needing to be upgraded. She added: 'We need to do so with fairness and equity. 'They are sitting on, I think, approximately £161 or £162 million worth of public spending. 'It's now over to the GAA to decide can they cut their coat according to their cloth, or what their expectations are in relation to their own contribution.' She added that the GAA can 'do a huge amount' with existing funding commitments for Casement Park, and that the GAA should indicate what its contribution increase should be. Mr Martin said the Irish Government had given a 'very substantial' allocation to the project. 'I believe the prospect really exists for a stadium to be agreed and built and this is an opportunity that should be seized in a practical and realistic way.' Mr Harris said the recent UK funding announcement was a 'huge step forward' for the project. He said the Irish Government stands ready to assist the project and warned against looking back to see that the moment was 'squandered'.
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Young voices, big stories: Primary school podcast spotlights Jarlath Burns
Gareth Burns, President of the GAA, speaking with pupils at St. Ninnidh's PS, Derrylin. (Image: John McVitty) While major media outlets across Northern Ireland were eager to secure an interview with GAA President Jarlath Burns about the £50million redevelopment of Casement Park, he chose instead to give a very important interview to an up-and-coming podcast based in Derrylin. The St. Ninnidh's PS P7 class, assisted by their teacher, Cassie Cadden, has set up a podcast known as 'Derrylin Diaries' on Facebook and TikTok, which has amassed thousands of views online. Advertisement Miss Cadden spoke to The Impartial Reporter about how the podcast was created and the exciting opportunity it presented for the students of St. Ninnidh's PS to interview Mr. Burns on Wednesday, June 11. 'I don't think we ever anticipated it [the podcast] getting this big, but it is the power of persuasive writing and letters," Miss Cadden explained. She encourages project-based learning in her P7 classes, providing pupils with essential life skills and engaging opportunities to apply what they've learned, all while following the annual curriculum and balancing preparation for the secondary school transfer test. 'I try to do fun, project-based activities with the children, and I wanted to do something that is relevant to right now," she explained. Advertisement In previous years, Miss Cadden introduced a Junior Entrepreneur Programme, where pupils created a business and developed a product to go along with it. 'We started the Podcast Club [Derrylin Diaries], so children who were interested in podcasting or interviewing could come to it; generally, all my Primary Seven class came." Through deliberation and voting, the pupils decided on 17 guests they wanted to interview on their podcast, and then wrote letters to each of their selected guests. 'The best thing about the podcast is the opportunities they [the pupils] are getting for their literacy, because they are writing, editing, redrafting and chatting among each other about their writing. Advertisement 'The most important thing is they are growing their confidence," Miss Cadden added. 'We taught them persuasive techniques to try and encourage these people to come to our podcast. "We didn't think we would get any replies," she said, but added that she and the pupils were delighted by the positive response they received. Over the past few weeks, the pupils have received letters from many of their chosen recipients. Miss Cadden said: 'We got a reply from the First Minister, who said she would do it." Unfortunately, First Minister Michelle O'Neill was unable to attend the podcast due to several scheduling conflicts; however, she has been booked for September. Advertisement The first guest the pupils interviewed was Malachy O'Rourke, the current Senior football manager for Tyrone GAA, and a former pupil of St. Ninnidh's PS. Their second guest was Jarlath Burns, whose involvement Miss Cadden described as "unbelievable", adding: "It was like a rockstar arriving at school!" The podcast has been very well received. Miss Cadden revealed: "It's been going viral on Facebook and TikTok. "We have thousands of views, and people are tuning in and asking us when our next podcast episode is out. 'We are hoping to make it a regular thing. It's brewing excitement throughout the whole school," she added. Advertisement The next featured guests on the Derrylin Diaries podcast will be Roisin Gleeson, a Fermanagh ladies' player, and Gareth Maguire, of 'The Tumbling Paddies'. If you are interested in watching the next episode, see the St. Ninnidh's PS Facebook page at
