SoSaturnistic stands in front of a small gathering of people in front of the derelict Casement Park:

Friends, today is a time to celebrate. Casement Park is going to be redeveloped and it is because we in the SDLP were able get this project approved once and for all.

There were people in the Executive who had grievances with the GAA. People who didn’t get the importance of Gaelic games and GAA in the community. And while many had reasonable concerns about the size of any redevelopment at Casement, others in the Executive were more than happy to leave Casement aside entirely. It simply wasn’t fair.

The SDLP knew that this wasn’t right. We saw Ravenhill get their redevelopment. We saw Windsor Park get theirs. There is quite literally over £60 million out there in a fund waiting to be used for Casement Park’s redevelopment due to the unfulfilled stadium redevelopment promises offered by political parties in the past, a promise that is now set to be fulfilled.

We in the SDLP know the value that this institution holds to Andersonstown. It’s a part of the community. GAA isn’t just a sporting institution but one which helps bring vibrancy and promotes culture in communities across this island, Andersonstown not excluded. We got a good deal with the GAA and came to a reasonable settlement. In just some time, we’ll see Antrim GAA back here to get back into football and hurling. It will be a new era for GAA in Ulster, and under the terms of the deal we may well see the Ulster Final brought back from Clones.

We just need one final step to see this dream realised, the Executive needs to get a budget done and passed. We in the SDLP will commit to seeing the Memorandum of Understanding between the past Executive and the GAA, Irish FA, and IRFU realised and budgeted for. We’ve got everything lined up and ready, it just needs to be voted for. The local candidate for Belfast, u/motelblinds, is here and will protect this achievement for Gaels and GAA lovers across the North.

This is no matter to take for granted. The current Ulster Unionist leader has made the usual complaints about costs and money when it comes to stadiums. We need to be clear that divestment from GAA, when rugby and soccer has gotten its share of funding, is simply out of line and unfair. Dealing a strong hand to the SDLP in the Assembly and electing u/motelblinds in Belfast will get a reasonable development done.

Tomorrow is your chance to see a dream realised for good. It’s a rare chance for the community to see revitalisation and regeneration and it is something I hope we’ll be able to see into fruition soon. With your support, we’ll get it done.