Rishi Sunak has said the British government “will make a significant contribution to Casement Park” as he visited Belfast today.
The British prime minister was accompanied by Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris as he made the stop during his election campaign kick-off tour around the UK.
Speaking about Casement Park, Mr Sunak said: “The conversations are ongoing with the department. In all cases, I will also say is there is going to be a wonderful legacy of the Euros in Northern Ireland.”
When asked by The Irish News about money for the west Belfast stadium, Mr Heaton-Harris said: “When I said that we’d find the money for Casement Park, the costs were in the £166 million ball park.
“Those costs have risen and we are going to make a significant contribution to Casement Park and NI will see a wonderful legacy from the Euros.”
“We’ve said we will make a significant contribution to Casement Park,” said Mr Sunak.
“The conversations are ongoing with the Department. In all cases, I will also say is there is going to be a wonderful legacy of the Euros in Northern Ireland.”
The derelict west Belfast ground has been earmarked as a venue for five Euro 2028 matches.
However, uncertainty remains over funding to build the stadium in time for the tournament, with reports suggesting the projected costs could have reached £308 million.
In 2011, the Stormont executive committed £62.5 million to the project.
Earlier this year, the Irish Government offered £40 million towards it, and the GAA has said it will contribute £15 million.
Stormont’s Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has repeatedly said he is awaiting further clarity on funding for the stadium.
Rishi Sunak has already visited England, Wales and Scotland as he kicks off his General Election campaign, and is expected to hold a further event in England later today.
Mr Sunak visited an advanced maritime manufacturing facility in Belfast’s Titanic Quarter, where he spoke to apprentices and rode on a small zero-emission boat.
The boat has been manufactured by Artemis Technologies, a company that has received government funding to support its work.
Mr Sunak, accompanied by Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris, spoke to staff from Artemis and took part in some of the manufacturing processes.
He also spoke about the upcoming election campaign, saying: “Inflation is now back to normal, wages have been rising faster than prices for almost a year and at the beginning of this year, the economy grew at a very healthy rate.
“And that’s why now is the right time to think about our future.
“And what I’ll be talking to the British people about over the next few weeks is our bold action that we’re prepared to take, working to a clear plan that we can see as having real effects on people for the better.
“And that’s why we can deliver a secure future for everyone in our country.”
He fired the starting gun for a July 4 General Election while exposed to the elements on Downing Street.
The rain-soaked statement was poked fun at, with observers questioning why the Tory leader did not use an umbrella in the downpour.
