EU approves £18m funding for conflict resolution centre at the Maze

The choice of the Maze site for the centre has been strongly criticised by some unionists but Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson insisted it would not be a ‘shrine to terrorists’.

“It is going to be a new purpose-built building on the Maze site. It is not in an H-block, it is going to be in a new build,” he told the BBC.

“This is a small part of the overall Maze site which will be developed for a number of other purposes - indeed, the Royal Ulster Agriculture Society is planning to relocate there.”

Mr Donaldson said there had been wide consultation on the issue with a range of people, including those from government and ex-military backgrounds as well as victims.

“I know a lot of Protestants who would support this on the basis of what has been agreed. It is about promoting dialogue and it is a way forward,” he said. “I would also like to see the Maze site developed. I represent people who live in that area. There is high unemployment. They want to see the government getting on with this.

“Contrary to the view that this will be divisive, when people see the detail, it will reassure them. Far from it being seen as a shrine, it is about looking to the future. The peace building centre can help us look and focus towards the future.”

Lagan Valley Alliance MLA Trevor Lunn welcomed news that EU funding has been approved.

He said all parties must work together to ensure the whole Maze project fulfils its potential and there must be ‘no more political games around the issue’.

Mr Lunn, who served on the Maze Consultative Panel, said: “The announcement of this funding is excellent news for the people of Lagan Valley and for the whole of Northern Ireland. The Maze site can be a key driver of our economy and has the potential to create many jobs at this extremely challenging time.

“I served on the Maze Consultative Panel and discussions at that time were extremely constructive. We looked at models from all around the world, including former prisons, and there was general agreement about the way forward. I am totally satisfied that there is absolutely no prospect that this centre will be dominated by any one party or persuasion.

“There must be no more political game playing on the issue of the Maze project because this type of negative behaviour could jeopardise the creation of much-needed jobs at the site.”

However, TUV Leader Jim Allister dismissed the funding as ‘a Provo victory’.

“A few years ago the DUP vetoed the (national) stadium because of the retention of the shrine buildings on the Maze site. Then, to keep Sinn Fein happy they fell into line by agreeing a so called Conflict Transformation Centre which will incorporate the very buildings which stymied the stadium project.”

“The retention of the ugly prison buildings, by successive DUP ministers in DOE refusing to delist and demolish them, means the entire site, including its worthwhile aspects, like economic development and housing, will be blighted and tainted by the so called ‘Conflict Transformation Centre’ – official speak for the Maze Shrine.

“If a ‘Conflict Transformation Centre’ is thought to be necessary, why does it have to be at the Maze? Clearly, because the intent is to allow the incorporated prison buildings to facilitate the terror fest aspect of this Provo project. Thereby, the entire site will be blighted.”