“But I think that Jarlath’s frustration comes from the fact that he may well be under pressure from within his organisation, and I understand that, and I understand the frustration of 14 years of promises being made and that he has seen the regional programme for stadia develop with Windsor Park completed, Ravenhill completed, and nothing has been done yet in terms of Casement despite all of the circumstances surrounding it.
He said it is for the GAA to come forward with proposals, but also revealed he is waiting to have a meeting with Secretary of State Hilary Benn to seek further clarity around funding for Casement and sport in Northern Ireland generally.
“We meet with the GAA once a month, at least once a month, at official level, and although it still remains the responsibility of the GAA to come forward with their proposals, and I’ve said many times that the commitment is still there is £62.5m.
I received a response, there was no more information forthcoming from him, and so on this and a number of other critical issues for the department, I have asked to meet the Secretary of State to tease out where we are in terms of UK Government funding for sport in Northern Ireland including Casement Park.”.
Committee deputy chairwoman Nicola Brogan put to Mr Lyons a comment by GAA president Jarlath Burns that they are operating in a “hostile environment”.
