Oral Answers to Questions — Communities – in the Northern Ireland Assembly at 2:30 pm on 16 September 2024.
Mark Durkan
Social Democratic and Labour Party
2:30,
16 September 2024
T1. Mr Durkan asked the Minister for Communities when and how he learned of the UK Government's decision not to fund the Casement Park project. (AQT 511/22-27)
Gordon Lyons
DUP
My private office was emailed at 6.32 pm on Friday. That email was forwarded to my departmental email address at 7.00 pm.
Mark Durkan
Social Democratic and Labour Party
I thank the Minister for his answer. It seems that the Minister, once again, is the last to know. Just before Question Time, we heard in the Finance Minister's statement that her officials learned on Wednesday that the British Government were to pause their funding commitments. Does he not think it odd that, as Minister responsible for the Casement Park project, he was not informed of their decision until more than 48 hours later?
Gordon Lyons
DUP
I can only reflect to the House what happened with the timings of the decision. What has taken place with the Government over the past week is, to put it mildly, inappropriate. When announcements are made, it is right and proper that Ministers are able to answer questions on them and speak to the media. Of course, neither of those things happened.
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