Controversial funding committee back before Moyle council

Recently council officer Louise Hodgson told members the fund is there 'to contribute towards improving the quality of community facilities and services in Moyle and to provide projects that will provide a long lasting benefit to the local area'.

However discussions became heated in council chambers last month with UUP councillor William Graham brandishing the scheme a "nationalist fund" before walking out of a meeting.

At that same meeting Independent councillor Seamus Blaney said the fund is open to any group which wants to apply.

He said groups had to own their own premises and he said unfortunately many groups do not own their own premises.

At a meeting of the council last week, the Community Infrastructure Fund was on the agenda again after Cllr Graham asked for its make up of members to be reconsidered.

He said: "There has been 40,000 given out as last two years with mostly all going to one side of the community."

Cllr Graham said he wanted to fund to be more accessible by the Unionist community in Moyle.

"I am not looking for any more than that," he said.

Cllr Graham suggested the number of councillors on the body be set at three from the Nationalist community and three Unionists.

Independent Chairman of the council Price McConaghy replied: "It is very fairly set out and the criteria is very fair.

"It doesn't benefit in any way a particular party. I do admit most of the grant aid does go to GAA clubs but they own their own property and do the renovations to their own property.

"Football pitches are owned by council so ratepayers' money is spent on those, just under a different system."

DUP councillor Robert McIlroy said: "You are absolutely right in what you say Chair.

"The criteria is there and everybody has a fair chance. You can only consider those who make an application for the funding."

Sinn Fein councillor Cathal Newcombe said: "I totally disagree with us looking at each other as different, we are here as a council. Let's get away from head counts.

"Let's not have 'three of them and three of us'."

Cllr Graham replied: "All I'm looking for is equality."

Independent councillor Paudie McShane accused Cllr Graham of "having a problem with the GAA".

"I have no problem with the GAA," replied Cllr Graham.

The SDLP's Catherine McCambridge said she would be "disappointed" to see any changes being made to the funding body.

The Community infrastructure Fund will remain as is for the foreseeable future.