DURKAN WELCOMES CONSTRUCTIVE MEETING ON DERRY’S ECONOMIC FUTURE

Foyle MP Mark Durkan has said that today’s meeting at Stormont – which consisted of a delegation from Derry and three Executive Ministers to discuss the city’s economic future – was both constructive and positive.

Speaking after attending the meeting, Mr Durkan said:

"This was a constructive and positive meeting.

"The three Ministers showed some appreciation of the issues and sought to assure us upfront of their commitment to Derry and the North West.

“Our delegation took the opportunity not just to highlight some of the problems and pressures facing us but to stress the positive prospects that we could create with the right framework for intervention and investment between Derry and the regional government.

“The importance of the Mark II Regeneration Plan due early next year was highlighted.  We pressed the need for decisive engagement across all parts of government if we are to make a success of that plan. 

“That would include an enabling financial framework and funds that are committed which will reduce the friction and frustration of having to busk around all the different departments with different bids for various projects.

“We also made the point that Ilex needs to be enabled to play a Laganside role in Derry which means releasing it from the bureaucratic constraints which prevents it maximising the value and potential of the key sites they hold.   

"The case for university expansion, civil service decentralisation, infrastructural investment, capital projects and support not least for the Walled City were also well articulated in a strong and positive case.

“In fairness to the Ministers they saw the strength of the points made and welcomed the spirit which the city delegation led by the Mayor were showing.  They did point out some of the pressures that they were, and would be under, and pointed out the need for the cross-party delegation to keep its message clear if we are to make the city’s relationship with the regional government productive for the years to come. 

"The worth of the meeting should not be judged on immediate outcomes announced but on out-workings that can be developed and demonstrated in the months ahead."

ENDS

17-12-09