Fort George not dead: ILEX

Providing evidence to the Stormont Social Development Committee ILEX bosses referred to a recent statement by local economist Paul Gosling who said he believed plans for a multi-million pound development on the former military base were "dead in the water."

According to the Hansard report, Chief Executive Aideen McGinley denied this was the case stating: "Some newspaper coverage last week said that Fort George is dead in the water, but it is not.

"We recognise that it is a changed context, and it is about identifying the vehicle that we undertake for that site."

SDLP MLA for Foyle Mary Bradley who sits on the Committee and the local strategy board said she believed ILEX's word on Fort George.

She congratulated the local regeneration company on its progress so far but said: "Nevertheless, Sir Roy, I did not know how to feel last week when I read that Fort George was dead in the water."

The ILEX chair replied: "Absolutely, but that is the sort of thing that we have to put up with. I can handle the strategy board, but, so far, the Derry media have been a greater challenge."

Mrs Bradley said: "It is terrible when you get that. I wondered what Sir Roy and Aideen would be thinking, but I knew that it was untrue, so I got over it quickly enough."

Committee Chair Simon Hamilton also acknowledged the challenges posed by the local media.

He said: "Mary is right; no matter how much good you try to do, some people will want to knock you. There is huge potential, but the problems with chronic deprivation and disadvantage did not come about overnight, and they will not be sorted out overnight. You have to perform, but you have to have time and space in which to deliver. Mary is right about the huge potential."

Read the full transcript of the questions and answers session on the Sentinel website: www.londonderrysentinel.co.uk.