Borough must wake up to Project Kelvin

Mr Dallat recently attended a conference in Buncrana where Project Kelvin was discussed by academics, community motivators and business people both here in Ireland and in Canada.

The conference was cross-border in nature and included representation from Invest Northern Ireland.

Mr Dallat told the Times: “I regret that I was the only delegate attending from this area but at a subsequent meeting with the Chamber of Commerce in Coleraine which was attended by local assembly members and the MP I expressed the view that this issue must be followed up.

“I, therefore, welcome the motion but believe that such an event must be planned well ahead and include all the key players who are likely to engage with us. The conference I have just referred to was in the planning for a year ahead and included potential investors from Canada and the Republic of Ireland.

“Project Kelvin has unlimited applications but no-one should underestimate the mammoth task ahead to ensure that everyone is one board to make it possible.

“The organisers of the conference are very keen to involve Coleraine and they are very happy to be of any help they can in putting together an event which brings together the various stakeholders which would have to include the University of Ulster. I would suggest they are contacted after this debate.

“The Buncrana conference is linked to Canada and Newfoundland in particular. The Chamber of Commerce should be involved and The Honourable Irish Society has expressed a keen interest.

“This part of Ireland has a long history of association with Canada and Project Kelvin is an ideal venture to rebuild that relationship which was almost broken during the troubles. The Canadian economy is sound and investors are looking for long-term sustainable projects to invest in.

“Project Kelvin has the capacity to transmit data for the biggest companies in the world at the highest speeds but it is complex and we can only benefit if we attract the right investors and that won’t happen in a one day workshop or seminar.

“Project Kelvin is a wholesaler of communications. The organisers will sell their service to others who will use it to make money and create employment. If those people are not on board Project Kelvin is only passing through and not contributing anything to the local economy.”