This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/6912363.stm

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Special Stormont debate over Maze GAA 'rules out city stadium plan'
(about 1 hour later)
A special meeting to tackle the issue of the proposed multi-sports stadium at the Maze is taking place at Stormont. The GAA would not agree to a proposed multi-sports stadium being built in Belfast, Sports Minister Edwin Poots has said.
Assembly members have interrupted their summer recess to address the controversial matter. Mr Poots favours the former Maze prison site, but some DUP colleagues are among those who favour a Belfast site.
Plans have been drawn up for a 35,000-seater stadium for soccer, GAA and rugby at the Maze. The minister told the assembly's culture committee that rugby and soccer officials were split, with rugby bodies favouring Belfast for a future stadium.
Sports Minister Edwin Poots has backed the location, but some of his DUP colleagues are against it. Gaelic sports, soccer and rugby would be played at any future stadium.
At the last meeting before the summer recess, the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure agreed to hold the special meeting. Plans have been drawn up for a 35,000-seater facility at the Maze.
Mr Poots has been invited to update members on the current position regarding the proposed stadium. Mr Poots said the GAA had ruled out proposed stadia on both the Belfast North Foreshore site and the Titanic Quarter.
'Open mind' The Maze site is in Edwin Poots constituencyHe said the Irish Football Association had also indicated it did not favour Belfast.
Committee chair Barry McElduff said the meeting was urgently needed. Assembly members interrupted their summer recess to address the controversial matter.
"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," he said.
"We hope he will state clearly and unambiguously where the department stands on this issue and the timetable for the final decision."
At the weekend, Finance Minister Peter Robinson said he was "keeping an open mind" about proposals to build a stadium at the former Maze prison site.At the weekend, Finance Minister Peter Robinson said he was "keeping an open mind" about proposals to build a stadium at the former Maze prison site.
Fellow members of the DUP have expressed concerns that the project will be tied to a prison museum.Fellow members of the DUP have expressed concerns that the project will be tied to a prison museum.
Others have insisted that the sports stadium should be in Belfast.Others have insisted that the sports stadium should be in Belfast.