GAA: Call for NI sports stars to use National Stadium

Northern Ireland’s sports stars should be encouraged to make full use of an new all-purpose stadium planned for the Irish Republic, a Sinn Fein MLA said today.

Sports Minister Michael McGimpsey (UUP, South Belfast) was urged to enter into formal discussions with his Southern counterpart Jim McDaid about the shared use of Stadium Ireland.

The call was made during ministerial questions by Barry McElduff (Sinn Fein, west Tyrone) who spoke of the need to avoid unnecessary duplication of spending on sports facilities throughout the island.

But Mr McGimpsey said he was more interested in advancing proposals for a new sports stadium for Northern Ireland.

‘‘I should also say that the Sports Council has the overall responsibility for developing sport and it is primarily their responsibility for taking the various sports forward.’’

PJ Bradley (SDLP, South Down) called on the Minister to undertake a feasibility study with the aim of providing a centrally located Olympic standard 50 metre swimming pool.

Mr McGimpsey said responsibility for leisure facilities rested with district councils but pointed out that plans were well advanced for a Northern Ireland Institute of Sport at the University of Ulster campus at Jordanstown which would provide a 50 metre, eight lane competition pool.

He said the sport’s administering body, Swim Ireland had been fully consulted about the Jordanstown plans.

‘‘I should also point out that there is a 50m pool currently under construction at Limerick and another one is planned at Abbotstown in Dublin,’’ he added.

Patricia Lewsley (SDLP, Lagan Valley) asked whether there were concessions for disabled people, young people and the unemployed who wished to take up angling.

Mr McGimpsey told her that there were no concessionary licence rates for those groups within the Fishery Conservancy Board (FCB).

‘‘Young people under 18 years of age do not require a licence to fish,’’ he said.

Mr McGimpsey added that the Fisheries Amendment Act (NI) 2001 gave FCB powers to enable concessionary licences for particular groups of people.

‘‘It is for the Board to consider whether and when to introduce concessionary licence fees,’’ he said

Mr McGimpsey added he believed very strongly in the argument for concessions for disabled anglers.