Harris calls for ‘momentum’ on Casement Park and says Ireland ‘ready to assist’

Taoiseach Simon Harris has said there was a need to “look forward” in relation to Casement Park and said the Irish Government is “ready to assist”.

He said he was not ruling in or out further funds from the Government for the redevelopment of the west Belfast GAA stadium.

The Taoiseach said there was “a real sense of disappointment to so many” that the British government had decided against providing the funding needed to rebuild the stadium in time to host five matches as part of the Euro 2028 football tournament.

Speaking during a visit to Derry on Monday, Mr Harris said UK prime minister Sir Keir Starmer had given “serious consideration” to the decision.

“In fairness to the new British Prime Minister, in many ways, he inherited this situation,” Mr Harris said.

“He and I discussed it in July in Chequers, we discussed it in recent weeks in Farmleigh (House in Dublin), and I know he did give it serious consideration.”

Mr Harris said there was now a need to “look forward” in relation to Casement Park and that the Irish Government “is open” to discussing what more can be done to help in relation to the site.

The Taoiseach on Sunday recommitted the Irish Government to the €50 million previously pledged to rebuild the sports ground.

When asked whether he was ruling out pledging further funding on Monday, Mr Harris said he was not ruling it out or in.

“The Irish Government is open to continuing to have conversations about anything more we can do to help, but we’re not quite there yet,” he said.

“What we now need to see is what the British Government and the Northern Ireland Executive want to do next.”

He said he had spoken to the president of the GAA, Jarlath Burns, and expects to meet GAA representatives in the coming days.