A5 road and Casement Park get share of €800m Dublin funding

The initial cost of the Casement Park redevelopment – £77.5m – has escalated in the past decade.

Earlier, DUP MP Jim Shannon said he believed it would be £220m.

The redeveloped ground will be primarily used for GAA games. But it is also due to host soccer matches in the Euro 2028 tournament.

Northern Ireland secretary Chris Heaton-Harris was questioned by MPs on the NI Affairs Committee as the Irish government announced its funding plans.

He said he had not seen final projected costs for Casement Park yet, which would determine how much London decides to contribute.

He said when that happened, the government would determine “what the range of possibilities will be”.

“I want to make sure it is completely understood that while I’m sure there will be a decent taxpayer contribution it’s got to be done on a value for money basis,” he said.

Last year, Mr Heaton-Harris said the government would ensure money was found to aid construction in time to ensure Euros games can be played at the stadium.

Speaking to BBC Newsline, Mr Varadkar denied that the funding announcement would be unnerving for unionists.

“It has been broadly welcomed,” he said. “I think that’s encouraging. We’re keen for the projects to be ones that all communities can see themselves in.

“People in Northern Ireland just want to get on with it. It doesn’t always have to be a constitutional question. There are simple things that can make people’s lives better.”

Asked if the lack of clarity from the UK government regarding the Casement Park funding was a sign of fractured relations between the two governments, he said both are committed to the project.

“The governments in Dublin and London have worked together on the Euros,” he added.

“It would be a shame if no games were played in Northern Ireland. Both governments are committed.”