‘Sinn Fein must provide clarity on funding for Casement Park’ – McNulty
SDLP Sports Spokesperson Justin McNulty has said that Sinn Fein must provide ‘urgent clarity on the entire funding package’ available for the redevelopment of Casement Park.
The Newry and Armagh MLA commented, “Casement Park is a key project and has been more than a decade in the making.
“Planning approval was recommended months ago.
“And yet Sinn Fein has made no budgeting provision for the entire cost of the project.
“Casement was confirmed a flagship project in January last year.
“Yet despite me raising this month in and month out with both Sinn Fein Ministers, the Communities and Finance Ministers, no proposals have been tabled at the Executive for consideration.”
The local MLA continued, “This project has been delayed through no fault of the GAA.
“I do not believe the GAA – an amateur sporting organisation – should be paying a higher percentage of the overall project cost than other sporting organisations did,” he continued.
“The SDLP have played our part with Minister Nichola Mallon, who after a few months in office, ensured the progress of planning for Casement after many years of delay from others.
“The Finance Minister announced an allocation of £20M from the 2021/2022 budget towards the project.
“Whilst this initial allocation is welcome, I believe that Sinn Fein must now give certainty over their entire funding package.
“It does not seem plausible for the GAA move forward with procurement and indeed construction on the basis that they do not know if they have enough money to complete the project.
“Now is the time for certainty and clarity.
“No more excuses and no more delays.
“Casement can be an exciting flagship project that can be a catalyst for economic and community prosperity as we move past the pandemic.
He added, “Let’s get Casement Park built.”
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