Prestigious gong for C-TRIC

The Altnagelvin-based Clinical Translational Research and Innovation Centre (C-TRIC) was best in the cross-border category at the The Irish Times Innovation 2010 Awards last week.

Foyle MP Mark Durkan said he was delighted the local facility had been recognised in its inaugural year.

"I have showcased the facility on a number of occasions now to visitors to Derry, most recently the new US Consul General Kamala Lakhdhir," said Mr Durkan.

"Everyone has been greatly impressed by their innovative approach in connecting clinical research through to new technologies for the marketplace," he said.

Mr Durkan said the knowledge economy-driven jobs associated with the facility was exactly what Londonderry needs.

"This cutting edge facility was developed using money from the Integrated Development Fund. This fund has also delivered investments such as Skeoge Business Park, the Walled City Tourism Project and the Robotics Centre at Magee – yet the Executive abolished it in 2008.

"The C-TRIC centre is an example of what Derry can achieve when different agencies work together," he added.

The local MP called for the restoration of the Integrated Development Fund (IDF) to allow ILEX and the Londonderry Strategy Board a coherent funding source to appeal to when putting forward cases for the North West.

"They would not have to spend time busking around various Departments trying to get money for this or that project.

"Those who supported dissolving the Integrated Development Fund in the Executive's first Budget should look again at that decision, because restoring the fund would give the North West the capacity to move towards economic recovery.

"We should all be benefiting from the opportunities that restoration of the Integrated Development Fund would afford. This would be a solid step in helping to grow high end jobs in Derry like those at the C-TRIC Centre," said Mr Durkan.