First and deputy First Minister continuing to delay MLK progress says Lagan Valley representatives
Lagan Valley MLA Michelle Guy has hit out at the First and deputy First Minister for a continuing lack of urgency in developing plans for the Maze Long Kesh site.
She said: “The future development of the MLK site has been discussed for years. In March, Sorcha Eastwood brought forward a debate in the NI Assembly and the First and deputy First Minister assured us they were determined to make progress.
“However, recent questions reveal little has been done to make progress.
“Since 2013, given the lack of Ministerial agreement on the future of the site, the activities of the Development Corporation, originally tasked with overseeing plans, have been heavily restricted.
“Added to this, the Executive Office have confirmed to me that the 23/24 business plan for the Development Corporation hasn’t been finalised or signed off.
“The site can be the source of huge excitement and economic benefit, but also as an important symbol for reconciliation.
"I don’t dismiss the sensitivities associated with the site, but it seems we are in a political paralysis that threatens to render this site yet another symbol of our dysfunction and division.
"The time for words and rehearsing concerns has passed, we now need to see published plans, timelines and budgets.”
David Honeyford MLA added: “The economic and social potential of MLK can be delivered while acknowledging the historical nature of the site and there is a clear role for National Museums NI to do that sensitively, but we need the buy-in from the First and deputy
First Ministers.”