It was revealed today that an initial spend of nearly £2 million of public money has been paid to consultants working on plans for the proposed Northern Ireland stadium.

Plans drawn up for the 35,000-seater stadium to be built on the site of the old Maze prison have yet to be confirmed by authorities.

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A date for construction work to commence has yet to be announced.

The amount was revealed at the Culture Arts and Leisure Committee meeting today.

Alliance MLA Kieran McCarthy said: "It is staggering to think £1.8 million has been spent already, before a brick has been put in place on the new stadium."

The proposals for the stadium to be built just outside Lisburn, have faced opposition by people who believe the stadium should be built in Belfast.

(LC/SP)