Minister to update Committee on Multi Sports Stadium

At the last meeting before the summer recess the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure agreed to hold a special meeting during summer recess to deal with the single issue of the multi sports stadium.

The Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure Mr Edwin Poots MLA has been invited to attend a meeting of the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure to update members on the current position regarding the proposed multi sports stadium. The meeting will be held in the Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings, on Tuesday 24 July at 10.45am.

Mr Barry McElduff, Chairperson of the Committee said:

“At the Committee meeting of 5 July it was agreed to invite the Minister to update members on the multi sports stadium and that the meeting should take place urgently.

When the Committee met the Minister in early June he indicated that alternatives to the proposed Maze/Long Kesh site must be submitted by the end of June 2007 and that he intended to make a decision shortly after that.

The Committee have heard the views of representatives from the Irish Football Association, the GAA, Ulster Rugby, the Amalgamation of Football Supporters Clubs and Linfield Football Club. The groups have portrayed their views on the location of the multi sports stadium, but one thing is clear, that a decision needs to be made by the Minister sooner rather than later.

When we meet with the Minister on 24 July we hope he will state clearly and unambiguously where the department stands on this issue and the timetable for the final decision.”