Portaferry Regeneration Discussed

Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has visited Portaferry to discuss community proposals to regenerate the town centre area.

During a walkabout of the town centre, the Minister was accompanied by local political representatives and members of the Portaferry Regeneration Group.

Minister McCausland said: "I welcome the opportunity to visit Portaferry and meet with members of the Portaferry Regeneration Group and hear about regeneration proposals for the area. My Department's Housing Strategy sets out proposals for supporting town and city centre regeneration through a revitalised Living over the Shops (LOTS) initiative."

Elliot Slams SDLP Over Decision To Oppose Bill

Ulster Unionist Justice spokesperson Tom Elliott has hit out at the SDLP decision to oppose the Bill designed to prevent those with serious criminal convictions being appointed as Special Advisers to Stormont Ministers as evidence they do not understand the suffering of Victims.

Mr Elliott said: "During the debate I listened as an SDLP MLA described his party as 'supportive of victims'. At the time I was prepared to accept that, due to past performance and motions tabled.

"I was prepared to take them at face value, but the subsequent behaviour of the SDLP on this issue has been disgraceful and created a great deal of anguish for the families of Victims, particularly Ann Travers, whose sister Mary was murdered in 1984 by an IRA gang which included Mary McArdle.

"Just as Sinn Fein left her to find out in the media about the appointment of Mary McArdle as a Special Adviser to the Culture Minister, so the SDLP left her to find out via the media that they were preparing to block a Bill designed to prevent such an appointment from ever happening again, even being prepared to support a 'petition of concern'.

"If either Sinn Fein or the SDLP had any commitment to victims they would understand the need to at the very least forewarn people if they were planning to embark on a course of action that might bring back memories and re-open old wounds."

O'Neill Opens Lettershandoney Play Park

Agriculture and Rural Development Minister, Michelle O'Neill has officially opened Lettershandoney Play Park in Derry.

The play-park was developed by Derry City Council with financial assistance of £136,510 from Axis 3 of the Rural Development Programme through assisting rural communities, North West (ARC NW).

Speaking at the opening the Minister said: "This facility in Lettershandoney will encourage physical activity in a fun, stimulating environment and provide a range of play choices in an enhanced play experience for young people throughout the area. It is a pleasure to witness first-hand how financial assistance from the RDP has benefited a local community.”

The Minister continued: "The play-park will contribute to one of the key targets of the Rural Development Programme benefitting children and young people. This is a good example of working in partnership with the Council to deliver benefits for the local community."

(CD/MH)