Alliance Lagan Valley MLA Trevor Lunn has criticised Peter Robinson's 'weak leadership' as he has appeared to bow to pressure over plans to develop the Maze Long Kesh site, despite the extensive cost to the public purse.
Mr Lunn said the decision by Mr Robinson to release a letter from his holiday home in Florida effectively stalling the process, showed clearly he was not a First Minister for all in Northern Ireland and was more interested in securing votes for his party ahead of a three-year election cycle.
Mr Lunn MLA said: "This cowardly move by the First Minister may gain the DUP more votes, but in reality they have failed to earn the trust and respect of voters which would allow them to lead a constituency through difficult issues.
"He has proven himself to be weak – issuing this from Florida to avoid dealing with his partners in government and the press on such a significant decision.
"There are serious questions that must be answered, including how much this project has cost so far. Planning fees, architect fees, business case preparation and EU funding disregarded all amounts to a considerable sum. I would predict the DUP has cost the public purse several million that will never be recovered.
"Alliance has always recognised the importance of acknowledging and coming to terms with our past, if we are to move forward in building a shared society for everyone. We continue to support the Maze Long Kesh development and recognise the economic potential it has for Northern Ireland. But we have always said that anything approved for the site must promote reconciliation, be inclusive of all perspectives and not celebrate terrorism or glorify violence."
(CD/JP)
Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Latest Construction News
25/11/2024
Northern Ireland-based construction company GRAHAM has been awarded Platinum accreditation by The 5% Club, which is their highest level of accolade. The 5% Club company, a benchmark of investment in future talent, awarded GRAHAM the Platinum membership for their unwavering commitment to empowering ...
25/11/2024
Building and civil engineering contractor Farrans, based in Dunmurry, Northern Ireland, has been selected as one of 19 businesses as preferred partners to SP Energy Networks' record £5.4bn supply chain contract programme. SP Energy Networks have selected the 19 companies to help them deliver the ...
25/11/2024
Energy provider ESB Networks has been working over the weekend to restore power to 60,000 homes predominantly in counties Donegal, Sligo, Mayo and Galway following the impact of Storm Bert. As of 5.10pm, 11,000 of ESB Network's customers remained without power, meaning 49,000 homes had saw their ...
25/11/2024
Alliance has rejected Infrastructure Minister John O'Dowd's claims that NI Water's funding model is 'fit for purpose'. Alliance Infrastructure spokesperson, Andy McMurray, accused the Minister of "burying his head in the sand" over the funding issues and stated that the Minister rejected evidence ...
25/11/2024
Grass Pitch Refurbishment Projects in Sandyford, Dublin, have successfully been completed, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council (DLR) has announced. Pitches at both Moreen Park and Páirc Uí Bhriain were the subject of upgrade and improvement works as part of an ongoing programme aimed at ...
25/11/2024
Northern Ireland construction company McLaughlin & Harvey placed runner-up for social impact at the Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS) End of Year Gala. The event, recently held at the Natural History Museum in London, recognises and celebrates outstanding company-wide performance among ...
25/11/2024
Expert water services crews are working to locate and repair a major pipe burst which is impacting water supply across Mid Kerry, Uisce Éireann has announced. The affected raw water pipe provides water to the Mid Kerry Gearha Water Treatment Plant supplying Listry, Beaufort, Killorglin and ...
25/11/2024
Uisce Éireann has temporarily shut down the Dunmanway Water Treatment Plant in Cork after it was impacted due to poor raw water quality from storm flooding. The turbidity of the incoming water for treatment remains high, resulting in the closure of the plant, and reservoirs in the area are now ...
25/11/2024
Irish Government has offered financial support to householders who have been impacted by Storm Bert. The Humanitarian Assistance Scheme provides income-tested financial support to those whose homes have been damaged from flooding and severe weather events and who cannot meet costs for essential ...
25/11/2024
A topographic and hydrographic survey will be carried out from today onwards by Murphy Geospatial Limited for the N17 Knock to Collooney [Atlantic Economic Corridor] Project. The project will consider the upgrade of the existing N17 from Knock in County Mayo to Collooney in County Sligo. The ...