Louth GAA and stadium funding
Deputy McGreehan celebrated Louth’s football success and pressed for continued funding for the county’s stadium project. The Tánaiste praised the GAA and said he understood the importance of the large-scale infrastructure support.
The Tánaiste might have heard that there is a bit of excitement in Louth at the moment. I do not know if anyone has missed it, but Louth is into its first All-Ireland football semi-final since 1957. This is not just one brilliant season for Louth GAA, however. Louth GAA is on the rise and, thankfully, so too is our stadium. We have a valid application under the large-scale infrastructure fund for phase 2 of our project. Phase 1 is being built and is nearly finished. We are ready and we need to keep this funding going. Where projects elsewhere are not in a position to draw down their allocation, will the Department consider reprioritising funding towards projects that are ready to proceed?
There is little point in having money sitting idle when communities are ready to deliver. Our stadium is becoming a field of dreams for all of us Gaelic lovers and sports lovers in County Louth. The county board, players and supporters are all doing their part and we ask the Government to finish the job. Louth has shown we are ready to compete with the best on the pitch and I want the Government to help us build a stadium that matches that ambition and success. Who knows, if we keep winning we might come back here and ask for more money for a bigger stadium, but we will be happy with the money for our current plans.
Comment on this
That contribution made me smile to see the positivity, infectiousness and county pride the GAA can bring. I look forward to attending that game because, of course, what the Deputy did not say in her contribution, is that County Wicklow is in the Tailteann Cup final on the same day, just before that match. Wicklow will beat Down and then Louth and Mayo I am not getting involved in, but I wish everybody well.
I take the point about the large-scale projects. Indeed, I had an opportunity quite a while ago to meet with some of the Louth county board members while I was in Louth, and I know how serious this project is. It is the county that has the outstanding need for those county grounds. I have spoken to the Minister, Deputy O’Donovan, about it before. On foot of the Deputy raising it today, I will talk to him again and ask him to come back to the Deputy directly.