No plans to sell Gaelic footballs, sliotars and hurls at Stormont: Ramsey

LONDONDERRY MLA Pat Ramsey says there are no plans to sell Gaelic footballs, hurls or sliotars from the Northern Ireland Assembly shop.

Speaking on behalf of the Assembly Commission, Mr Ramsey responded to a query from Sinn Féin MLA Oliver Flanagan who asked “whether there are any plans to commission additional sporting memorabilia, such as Gaelic footballs, sliotar or hurls for sale in the Assembly Gift Shop.”

Mr Ramsey replied: “There are no specific plans to commission additional sporting memorabilia for retail in the Assembly Gift Shop.

There are two methods by which the Assembly decides on products that are to be sold in the Assembly Gift Shop;

“Items that are purchased by our contractor, Eurest, for sale in the Gift Shop. These are purchased with the agreement of Support Services Office, and are usually bespoke items that contain the Assembly blue flax crest, and are therefore extremely popular amongst the many visitors who attend Parliament Buildings each year.”

He also stated: “The Eurest policy on the procurement of gifts is that Gifts for retail sale are procured from local companies where possible.

“The range of gifts with the NI Assembly crest is placed with NI firms who provide employment for local people. Most gifts are manufactured or processed within NI.”