TAOISEACH SIMON HARRIS has said the Government is open to increasing funding for Casement Park. 

It comes amid mounting speculation that the stadium is set to be axed as a venue for Euro 2028.

It was confirmed last October by Uefa that Ireland would host the championship with the UK, and the redeveloped Casement Park in Belfast was named as one of the ten venues chosen to stage games.

But there have been serious doubts cast about the rebuild of the stadium being completed in time for the tournament, as the funding required to build it is still not in place.

Costs for the long-delayed project have spiralled with reports suggesting the projected costs could have reached £308 million (€360 million).

In 2011, the Stormont executive committed £62.5 million (€73 million) to the project.

Last week, Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn said Casement Park was “probably the most urgent issue” on his desk.

Speaking on his first visit to Northern Ireland since his appointment, Benn said: “One way or another, if it is possible in time for the Euros, if not, one way or another Casement Park will have to be built.”

The Irish Government offered €50 million towards it, and the GAA has said it will contribute £15 million (€17.5 million).

Asked if the Government was open to increasing that spend, Harris said: “In principle, we are – but I think we have to take a little step back here.

“The Irish Government has already committed funding to Casement. I really want to see this developed.”

Harris said there had been “encouraging words” from Benn that the stadium would be built, but added: “The question now is a matter of timing.”

Speaking on BBC’s Sunday Politics Northern Ireland, he said: “I think it would be a huge missed opportunity if we had a situation where Euro 2028 was being hosted across these two islands and we couldn’t see games played in Northern Ireland.”

He added: “I’d like to work constructively with Prime Minister (Keir) Starmer and with my colleagues across government and with the Northern Ireland Executive, the GAA and others to see how best to move forward.”

Harris said the matter would be on the agenda when he met the Prime Minister next week, adding: “We need to have conversations to understand where the British Government’s head is at on this matter too.”

With reporting from Press Association