New British government must fulfil promises on Casement project – The Irish News view

It could be said that the Conservative manifesto, which sets out its intentions should the party win a fifth term in office, may go down as one of the most pointless documents ever committed to red, white and blue paper.

Given the enormous lead enjoyed by Labour in opinion polls, and a campaign conducted with all the incompetence that has characterised the Tories throughout their 14 years in government, Rishi Sunak would be well advised to have the removal van ready to vacate Downing Street early on the morning of July 5.

The manifesto, for what it’s worth, offers a familiar catalogue of lofty promises on taxes, migration and pensions. It also commits billions to investment in roads, housing and grassroots sports, but conspicuous by its absence in the section on Northern Ireland – the very last page of the 76-page brochure – is any mention of a financial commitment to Casement Park.

A year ago, when the west Belfast venue had been formally included in the UK and Ireland’s joint bid to host Euro 2028, Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris breezily provided a “guarantee” that money would be found to meet the spiralling bill for redeveloping the GAA ground.

Last month, during a fleeting visit to Belfast, Mr Sunak said the British government will make a “significant contribution”, as concerns mounted that work may not begin in time to be ready to host five lucrative games in the city.

GAA president Jarlath Burns fired a further warning shot this week, saying that he is “very pessimistic” about meeting the tight timetable for hosting the festival of European football.

A new stadium could still be built, but perhaps not to the strict specifications required by Uefa for Euro 2028 fixtures.

The consequences of losing out have been underlined by former UEFA strategist Ian Mallon, now a sports consultant in the Republic, who described any hesitation in seizing the huge opportunities presented by an influx of international visitors to the city as “completely irrational”.

While the Casement project has been beset by difficulties since Stormont support was first announced in 2011, it has been clear for some time that its fate lies firmly in the hands of the British government

While the Casement project has been beset by difficulties since Stormont support was first announced in 2011, it has been clear for some time that its fate lies firmly in the hands of the British government.

That it failed to provide clarity before a general election, effectively passing on the problem, is extremely frustrating but consistent with an administration that has oversold or broken promises at every turn.

For the GAA and everyone supportive of this project, which promises to be transformative for the GAA in Belfast and the image of the city more widely, all that can be done is to ensure that whoever forms a new government on July 5 is aware of the absolute need for an immediate announcement to allow the Casement rebuild to remain on track.