East Antrim MP Roy Beggs has called on the Government to hold a House of Commons debate on the need for Northern Ireland to secure a national stadium of its own.

Speaking at Business Questions on the day when the Government confirmed it would be backing London’s bid to host the 2012 Olympic Games, Mr Beggs expressed his disappointment that the government was to invest billions of pounds in an Olympic Games bid, but Northern Ireland had yet to have a national stadium.

Addressing the Leader of the House, and former Northern Ireland Secretary of State, Dr John Reid, Mr Beggs said: “When planning our Business, will you try to arrange for a debate on the matter? It could be held in the Northern Ireland Grand Committee, which is still to meet in Northern Ireland. Will you undertake to consider the matter and, I hope, arrange such a debate before too long?”

Responding, Dr Reid told the Ulster Unionist Chief Whip that, during his period as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, he had “gained some understanding of and sympathy with the point of view expressed by you.”

He continued: “Anything that brings people in Northern Ireland together in recognition of what they have in common is to be supported and encouraged. Although I think that it is for the Secretary of State to decide when and if such a debate should take place, I shall, of course, draw your remarks to his attention.”

A National Stadium debate has been a major issue of contention for many sports fans in Northern Ireland, chiefly among football supporters.

Rumours reached fever pitch in February after Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Angela Smith confirmed that local football is to receive an £8m cash boost but only on the basis that a certain criteria was met.

However hopes of a National Stadium announcement were dashed given that a new stadium could cost in and around the £100 million mark.

(MB)