UK government in 'solution-finding mode' on Casement Park

The UK government is in "solution-finding mode" when it comes to resolving funding for the redevelopment of Casement Park, Stormont's finance minister has said.

John O'Dowd was speaking after a meeting in London with Treasury officials ahead of next week's Spending Review.

The GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association) ground has been lying derelict for more than a decade.

Negotiations have been ongoing to determine if the government will make a contribution to the west Belfast stadium.

A Spending Review, expected on Wednesday 11 June, will see the government lay out its financial plans for day-to-day spending for the next three years.

It has largely been viewed as the juncture when it confirms whether or not it will make a financial contribution to help deliver the stalled plans to redevelop the Gaelic games venue.

It is estimated that it would cost at least £260m to build a new stadium, but only around £120m is currently available.

Stormont's Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has promised £62.5m from the Stormont executive, the GAA say it will pay £15m while the Irish government has pledged around £43m.

Speaking on Monday, O'Dowd said his meeting with the Treasury had been "constructive".

"In fairness to the Treasury, I'm of the view they are now in solution-finding mode, if we continue in that mode then I believe we can have a successful outcome to this," he added.

He said he would also meet Secretary of State Hilary Benn on Wednesday to discuss the matter, and that he would continue to press for a resolution.

Casement Park, with a proposed 34,500 capacity, had been earmarked to host football games at the Euro 2028 football tournament but, with the project on hold, the plan has been shelved.

Lyons has defended his handling of the planned Casement redevelopment and insisted the hold-up is not his fault.

On Monday, he said the GAA would need to make its plans for Casement Park more affordable if the UK government fails to cover the gap for the current proposed rebuild.

"I've made it very, very clear as sports minister, I want to see more money for sports infrastructure in Northern Ireland," the minister said.

"But what we do need to make sure is that any additional public funding that comes forward for sport is done on a fair and equitable basis.

"I think we had a fair and equitable basis for the funding of sport back in 2011 when the funding for Windsor [Park] and for Ravenhill and Casement was set out.

"I welcome additional funding for sport, but it should be done on a fair and on an equitable basis."

Benn has also defended his actions, saying the British government cannot meet the full funding shortfall but will consider a contribution.

Lyons was asked what would happen if the government did not make a significant contribution.

"Well, ultimately, that's up for the GAA to lead on," he said.

"It is their project. As far as I'm concerned, a commitment was made of £62.5m by the Executive.

"As I've said from the start, that commitment still stands. But, as I've said before, if you don't get the money that you're always looking for, you have to look at how you can make things more affordable.

"I think it's incumbent upon the GAA to look at the plans that are in place and say is this something that they are able to afford, and, if it is not, how do they change those plans to make it something that is more affordable."