AQO 7869/11-15

Mr Pat Sheehan
Sinn Féin
West Belfast

Tabled Date: 12/03/2015
Answered On Date: 24/03/2015
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure whether she has had any discussions with the Ulster Council of the Gaelic Athletic Association on it submitting a new planning application for the redevelopment of Casement Park.

Answer:

A local residents group, Mooreland and Owenvarragh Residents’ Association, (MORA) applied for a Judicial review into the decision and this was granted. The case was heard over 13 days between 9 September and 13 October 2014. On 18th December 2014 Mr Justice Horner quashed the existing planning approval for the Casement Park project.

Since Mr Justice Horner’s decision on the 18th December 2014 I have met with the Ulster Council of the Gaelic Athletic Association to discuss the outcome of the Judicial Review and to hear details on how the Ulster Council were planning to move forward.

Since the ruling the GAA, the department and the relevant team members have studied the judgement in order that the new Planning Application will fully address and take into account the points raised in the judgement.

There is a strong resolve within the Ulster GAA to submit a new planning application in 2015 to develop a regional stadium in Ulster at Casement Park. The new application will take account of the learning points raised in the judgment and DCAL will fully support Ulster GAA during the new planning process.

The redevelopment of Casement Park is an Executive Programme for Government pledge and therefore will remain a key priority.

DCAL is committed to the re-development of Casement Park and will work with all parties to facilitate this becoming a reality.