Executive meeting in Londonderry could prove logistical nightmare

Addressing a suggestion that a meeting be held on Rathlin Island the Deputy First minister referred to the practical difficulties that surround the prospect of Executive meetings being held outside Stormont Castle.

He referred to a previous meeting in Londonderry a decade ago which made life awkward for Belfast civil servants who had to travel to the North West for a day.

“Obviously, it is much easier to hold meetings there (Stormont Castle). There is a much tighter network around the castle and these buildings for ministerial colleagues, most of whom are based in their Departments in Belfast,” he told a recent debate on the question at Stormont.

“However, there have been occasions in the past on which Executive meetings were held outside Belfast. As part of the first Administration from, I think, December 1999 to October 2002, I believe that at least one meeting was held in the city of Derry, which we all attended,” he continued.

“That was a logistical nightmare for a lot of officials who serviced that meeting. However, it is something that we will consider. Now that the suggestion has been made by the Member for North Antrim, many Members will be very tempted to send in letters of offer for their particular areas. Given that there are 18 constituencies, that represents a big challenge,” he added.