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GAA 'rules out city stadium plan' GAA 'rules out city stadium plan'
(about 3 hours later)
The GAA would not agree to a proposed multi-sports stadium being built in Belfast, Sports Minister Edwin Poots has said.The GAA would not agree to a proposed multi-sports stadium being built in Belfast, Sports Minister Edwin Poots has said.
Mr Poots favours the former Maze prison site, but some DUP colleagues are among those who favour a Belfast site. Mr Poots said the GAA had ruled out proposed stadia on both the Belfast North Foreshore site and the Titanic Quarter.
The minister told the assembly's culture committee that rugby and soccer officials were split, with rugby bodies favouring Belfast for a future stadium.
Gaelic sports, soccer and rugby would be played at any future stadium.Gaelic sports, soccer and rugby would be played at any future stadium.
Plans have been drawn up for a 35,000-seater facility at the Maze site. Plans have been drawn up for a 35,000-seater facility at the Maze site, near Lisburn in County Antrim.
A multi-seater stadium is planned for Northern IrelandMr Poots said the GAA had ruled out proposed stadia on both the Belfast North Foreshore site and the Titanic Quarter. Mr Poots said the Irish Football Association was open to various sites, but its chief executive, Howard Wells, had a personal preference for the Maze, which is a former prison.
He said the Irish Football Association was open to various sites, but its chief executive, Howard Wells, had a personal preference for the Maze. The minister told the assembly's culture committee that rugby authorities favoured a Belfast site.
Ultimately no unionist will accept any proposal which will be a glorification of terrorism Edwin PootsSports minister
Assembly members interrupted their summer recess to address the controversial matter.Assembly members interrupted their summer recess to address the controversial matter.
Mr Poots told the committee that consultants had begun work on a final business plan.Mr Poots told the committee that consultants had begun work on a final business plan.
Ultimately no unionist will accept any proposal which will be a glorification of terrorism Edwin PootsSports minister This would focus on a number of options including an economic appraisal of the Maze proposal, the "virtual Belfast" option and a cost analysis of refurbishing existing sporting venues. This would focus on a number of options including an economic appraisal of the Maze proposal, the "virtual Belfast" option and a cost analysis of refurbishing existing sporting venues.
'Indignation'
Ulster Unionist committee vice chairman David McNarry asked the minister what impact unionist indignation would have on his decision on whether to take forward the Maze stadium plan.Ulster Unionist committee vice chairman David McNarry asked the minister what impact unionist indignation would have on his decision on whether to take forward the Maze stadium plan.
Mr Poots said that while the issue of the conflict transformation centre was a matter for another department, "ultimately no unionist will accept any proposal which will be a glorification of terrorism".Mr Poots said that while the issue of the conflict transformation centre was a matter for another department, "ultimately no unionist will accept any proposal which will be a glorification of terrorism".
He said cross-community consensus was essential.He said cross-community consensus was essential.