Sinn Féin will not support a new sports stadium for Northern Ireland unless it is on the site of the former Maze Prison, a member of the executive warned today.
As speculation continued that plans for a £240 million stadium may be jettisoned because of divisions in the Democratic Unionist Party, Stormont junior minister Gerry Kelly insisted the development of the site must begin as soon as possible.
Stormont junior minister Gerry Kelly
The North Belfast Assembly member said: "The Long Kesh masterplan proposal emerged from a lengthy and thorough consultative process. It received endorsement across the political spectrum.
"The Long Kesh masterplan is one package. With it, a major opportunity now exists to provide a world class facility for sport which would command the support and confidence of the GAA, the IRFU and the IFA and the wider sporting public.
"Sinn Féin will not accept a stadium being built on any other site."
Earlier this week, Finance Minister Peter Robinson and Sports Minister Edwin Poots moved to quell claims that their party, the DUP, had decided to abandon the plans.
Some members of the DUP oppose the Maze site because they argue Belfast would be a much better location.