SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP has called on both the Northern Ireland Executive and the UK Government to end the political stalemate over funding for the long-delayed redevelopment of Casement Park, warning that continued inaction is unacceptable.

She criticised the Executive's standing financial commitment of £62.5 million as outdated and inadequate, particularly given the significant growth in the Executive's overall budget in recent years.

"The GAA plays a central role in communities across this island. Its impact on health, wellbeing, volunteering, and community identity is immeasurable. The idea that a £62.5 million offer still stands, unchanged, despite a dramatically increased budget, simply doesn’t add up," said the South Belfast and Mid Down MP.

She pointed to the 65% increase in the Northern Ireland block grant since 2011 and questioned why the original offer for Casement Park has not been revised accordingly.

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Hanna took aim at DUP Communities Minister Gordon Lyons for maintaining the original figure and also criticised Sinn Féin's Finance Minister John O'Dowd for not proposing additional support. She accused both parties of failing to prioritise the project.

"This isn't about whether the money exists—it’s about whether there’s the will to use it," Hanna said.

"Just last week my SDLP colleague Daniel McCrossan MLA exposed the fact that there hasn’t been any correspondence between First Minister Michelle O'Neill or Finance Minister John O'Dowd and the Communities Minister Gordon Lyons on Casement.

"It appears that whilst some actively don’t want to see Casement Park built, others have been asleep at the wheel and failed to convert their soundbites into any action."

Hanna outlined the SDLP's proposed path forward, urging a two-pronged financial approach: "The Executive should increase its funding offer to account for inflation and delays, while the UK Government should provide a matching contribution.

"The SDLP believe that a solution can be found by both NI Executive and the UK Government putting forward an approach that sees the Executive raise its funding offer to reflect inflation and political responsibility for delays and the UK Government to match that effort with a meaningful contribution of its own.

"Let's be clear: the delay in getting Casement Park built is unacceptable. If the Executive shows its commitment through real funding, it will strengthen the case for UK investment. But both sides need to stop passing the buck."