§ Lady HermonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans the Government have to develop an eight lane athletics track for international athletics meetings in Northern Ireland. [182617]
§ Angela SmithNorthern Ireland currently has three eight lane athletics tracks with facilities of the standard required to hold minor international athletic events. These are at Antrim Stadium, Ballykillaire Sports Centre in Bangor and Templemore Stadium in Londonderry. However, the facilities at these venues are not of a standard which would allow major international athletic events to be hosted.
Provision for an eight lane athletics track for major international athletic meetings in Northern Ireland is a matter in the first instance for the Governing body of athletics in Northern Ireland, the Northern Ireland Athletics Federation. To date I have received no proposals from them for such a facility.