Distretto Nord

Discussione dopo la proposta di demolire Maze

Maze row over new call for demolition

H Block - Maze / Long KeshDEMOLITION is the only way forward for the former Maze prison site, according to TUV leader Jim Allister.
Mr Allister also hit out at the more than £5 million cost of the development corporation which will examine what to do with the Maze prison.

The Office of First and deputy First Minister revealed the cost last Friday.

Mr Allister said: “The emergence that up to £5.1 million will be spent on preparatory work on the Maze over the current financial year will appal taxpayers at a time of financial hardship.

“If this wanton squander by co-First Minister Robinson’s office had been taking place under Direct Rule there would – quite rightly – be an outcry from the DUP.

“Now, joined at the hip with McGuinness, Mr Robinson doesn’t oppose it but implements it.”

He said demolition was needed to ensure republicans did not turn the site into a shrine.

“We are told that over half the budget is to be spent on ‘ground decontamination’.

“The Maze can only be decontaminated following demolition of the buildings which will inevitably become an IRA shrine.”

A DUP spokesman said Mr Allister was simply seeking publicity.

“Whilst Jim Allister makes spiteful attacks on the DUP, he well knows there will be no shrine at the Maze and he should understand that decontamination work on the site has actually taken place to increase the value of the site for future development.”

Ulster Unionist MLA George Savage also hit out at OFMDFM.

He said: “Spending £5.1 million on nothing, this really is an achievement for OFMDFM – this is something that cannot be ignored.”

The Alliance Party also heaped blame on the DUP, saying that had the plans for a multi-sports stadium proceeded, the cost of any development corporation may not have been so high.

Lagan Valley MLA Trevor Lunn said: “Given that the Maze Corporation will now cost up to £5.1 million this financial year alone, the DUP need to reflect on the lost opportunity costs and additional costs that not proceeding with the exciting stadium plan could bring.”

SDLP Derry City councillor Helen Quigley says the full spend on prison regeneration sites must now be published in light of Friday’s revelations.

She said: “OFMDFM has, as I understand it, two major regeneration sites in the north – the Maze and Ebrington in Derry.

“These are the North’s two major regeneration sites and in these tough financial times we need transparency and accountability but also value for money.”

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René Querin

Di professione grafico e web designer, sono appassionato di trekking e innamorato dell'Irlanda e della sua storia. Insieme ad Andrea Varacalli ho creato e gestisco Les Enfants Terribles.

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