Hi °C | Lo °C 
As an MLA, a past member of the Maze Consultative Panel and the immediate past mayor of Lisburn, I have been close to the discussions about a new all-sports stadium for Northern Ireland.
The latest objections to the proposed Maze site, particularly internally within the DUP, are unhelpful.
No one can dispute that we need a new stadium or the urgent need to get on with it.
Much preparatory work has already been completed at the Maze site, the Government's clear choice prior to restoration of the Assembly. The various alternatives were assessed and discarded at that time as not being viable.
It must now be accepted that last-ditch attempts to turn the decision in favour of Belfast have not changed the fact that the Maze site is the clear and obvious choice.
The assertion that the conflict transformation centre will become an IRA shrine is a red herring. It cannot happen and I am satisfied that there is no desire on the part of Sinn Fein to make it so.
Belfast has been working for four years to come up with a sensible proposal and now, as a result of the Parks and Leisure Committee decision, is back to square one.
How much longer do we have to wait for them to come up with a suitable site, complete with residents' approval and financial analysis?
The choice is clear and it is the choice of all the political parties, either publicly or privately, and all the sporting bodies, plus the UK Government.
The decision must be acted upon without further procrastination, otherwise we may lose the opportunity of a lifetime.
Trevor Lunn, Lisburn
