The Irish Prime Minister, known as the Taoiseach, hasn’t discounted the possibility of the Irish Government providing more financial support for the redevelopment of Casement Park. Simon Harris stated this during a press briefing in Derry on Monday, indicating the government’s willingness to continue discussions regarding the renovation of the western Belfast stadium and offered to help in any feasible manner.
Unhappiness ensued the announcement made by Northern Secretary Hilary Benn on Friday night that the UK government won’t be sponsoring the much-delayed reconstruction of Casement Park, considering the ‘significant’ likelihood of it not being ready in time for the Euro 2028 football championship.
According to a statement from Harris on Sunday, this news was met with understandable discontent. Although the Irish Government and the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) expressed their readiness to contribute to the redevelopment project under the Shared Island initiative, the escalating costs and holdups have led to a financial shortage.
Benn explained on Friday that the estimated expense for the Casement Park project has soared dramatically – from £180 million to £400 million – since the tournament bid was won in October 2023.
Harris is due to hold a discussion with the GAA in the upcoming week, he reiterated the Irish Government’s promise of a €50 million funding and also stated the necessity to understand the next step the UK government and the Northern Ireland administration intend to take.
Harris expressed his hopes to meet with the GAA and provided assurances to stay updated with First and Deputy First Minister. He also emphasised his eagerness to move this project forward once and for all in collaboration with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer who has inherited the situation.
Despite the general disappointment towards the UK government’s decision, the Taoiseach stated that it was essential to look in the direction of the project’s future progression. Similarly, the Northern First Minister Michelle O’Neill advocated for an alternative plan from the UK government. She also suggested that the additional delay was a result of the funding being rolled into the Euros bid by London.
We now seek an insight into the British government’s contingency plan or ‘Plan B’, alongside their contributions towards the construction of the Casement Park, emphasised Ms O’Neill. The continued development of these plans is crucial to enable us to progress with the build, she highlighted.
O’Neill proceeded to voice her disapproval of the timing of this along with other announcements made on Friday evening, dubbing them “utterly chaotic”. She found it unacceptable to suppress negative news on a Friday night in the hope that it might go unnoticed, adding that this was not a suitable manner of conducting business.
Gordon Lyons, the DUP’s Minister for Communities, revealed at the Assembly that he had been informed about the decision via an email at 6:32pm, barely 40 minutes prior to its public announcement. Lyons expressed his disapproval, stating that such actions were uncalled for, and believed that ministers must be given a chance to engage with related questions, provide information to the media, which did not occur.
On Monday, Harris made his maiden visit to Derry as Taoiseach, where he had several engagements. He commenced his visit by meeting the city’s Mayor, Lilian Seenoi-Barr, at the Guildhall and then stopped by the Strand Road police station of the PSNI. Harris also delivered the Ulster University’s Peace Lecture at their Derry campus, in honour of John Hume and Thomas P O’Neill.
On this trip, centred around strengthening North-South ties, he announced a mutual branding venture between the Wild Atlantic Way and the Causeway Coastal Route, tracing the Derry and Antrim coast. He also visited the site of a prospective teaching and student services building, backed by the Government’s Shared Island fund.
In his speech, he acknowledged the efforts towards peace made by John and Pat Hume, and welcomed the budding “new era” in British-Irish relations. Speaking to reporters, he expressed his certainty on having a receptive dialogist in Downing Street for advancements towards peace and prosperity across the islands. Harris is optimistic about the reset, not just as a slogan but a genuine reinvigoration of relations, marked with a comprehensive work plan leading up to a bilateral summit next March.
“I genuinely feel that we may be on the verge of a remarkable bond between British and Irish governments, something we haven’t seen for quite some time. This thought invigorates and enthrals me, and I am resolute that no single choice will undermine this possibility,” he stated.