Casement Park rebuild not being held back because of me – communities minister

A DUP minister has said the redevelopment of Casement Park is because of a funding gap and not because he is at the helm of the department.

Communities minister Gordon Lyons said there were delays with the rebuild of the west Belfast GAA stadium long before he came into office.

The East Antrim MLA said that he and Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn were due to discuss funding issues next week.

“I want to explore the options. I want to see what the Government is thinking in terms of extra investment for Northern Ireland in terms of sport. I want to make sure that is done on an equitable basis,” Mr Lyons told the PA news agency.

Mr Lyons and Mr Benn are both in Washington DC as part of a series of events for St Patrick’s Day.

Speaking to the PA news agency, Mr Benn said it was “very important” that work starts on Casement Park before planning permission runs out next summer, but refused to say whether the UK Government would make a contribution.

Asked about concerns that the DUP are running down the clock, he said it “would make no sense at all” to allow planning permission to lapse.

Mr Benn said he spoke to Mr Lyons about it on Wednesday and a follow-up meeting would take place next week.

The Northern Ireland Secretary said: “Here we are 14 years on, and no progress has been made, and that is principally because of the planning difficulties and the objections of the local residents.

“Planning permission has been given, but that runs out next summer, and therefore it’s very important that work of some sort, from my point of view, starts before next summer.”

He added: “I want Casement Park to be built. I can’t say at the moment whether the UK Government will make a contribution, we have the spending review in play at