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Proceeding contribution from Lord Rooker (Labour) in the House of Lords on Thursday, 2 March 2006. It occurred during Debates on delegated legislation on Budget (Northern Ireland) Order 2006.


Budget (Northern Ireland) Order 2006

No. I cannot answer that. I shall outline the history of this. In May of last year I and my colleagues came to the issue with briefing that covered about 12 months. If I go back too far, it is a waste of my own resources in terms of what I am trying to do. As I understand it, all the options were looked at and the decision was made that, if there was to be a stadium, the place to build it was on the Maze site. It had become available as a brownfield site, along with other things, so it goes wider than just the stadium. All the parties had signed up for it in a consensual way. Indeed, I understand that that is still the case. On a personal basis, we appreciate very much the contribution made to this by all the four parties. They have had briefings from the planners and we are reaching the point where we can produce the master plan and develop the business case. The fact is that Northern Ireland needs a more modern stadium than the ones available. If a stadium is to be built, it will be built only on that site in the context of the overall plan for developing those 350 acres. I shall produce a note for the noble Lord, Lord Laird, on the substantial number of points I have not answered. I do not want to create more problems by working without notes. We are dealing with a project worth between £10 million and £16 million in terms of cash and resources. Any questions may be asked and I appreciate that. I am looking forward to the day when I am a Back Bencher. I shall ask any old question I like without giving warning simply because the debate is so wide. It is unreasonable to expect detailed replies, but I will give responses to the points I have not been able to answer in letters to noble Lords as quickly as possible.


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
679 c243-4GC 
Session
2005-06
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords Grand Committee
Subjects
Compensation Crime Airports Employment Education Electricity Infrastructure Local government Northern Ireland Public sector Public expenditure Non-departmental public bodies Schools Reform Victims Sportsgrounds Per capita costs Translink
Legislation
Budget (Northern Ireland) Order 2006
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk