SDLP
Councillor Patsy Kelly has said the Minister for Agriculture Michelle O’Neill
must release a business case on the relocation of DARD Headquarters to
Ballykelly.
Mr Kelly said:
“It is almost a year since
Minister Michelle O’Neill made a decision to relocate DARD headquarters to
Ballykelly without conducting an effective business case. I have consistently
called for her to bring forward a business case for this decision which she has
failed to do. This is a totally unacceptable state of affairs.
“It is deeply disappointing
for people living in Strabane that they have been overlooked on this occasion
particularly when the Minister has said the decision took into account factors
such as socio-economic profile, deprivation and unemployment levels.
“Given the historic levels
of underinvestment and resultant unemployment in Strabane it was imperative
that the Minister took that into account and looked at all of her options. An
effective business case would have assisted her in making a final decision.
“If the Minister is
committed to the decentralisation of DARD then she must seriously pursue a
business case for the most suitable location. One year on it is time for the
Minister to get straight with the people of Strabane.”
No comments:
Post a Comment