Ulster Unionist Party Leader, Tom Elliott, today moved a motion in the Assembly raising the concerns which the Party has regarding the ‘Peace Building and Conflict Resolution Centre’ which is being proposed for the former Maze site.
Mr Elliott commented:
“The Ulster Unionist Party recognises the potential social and economic benefits which the utilisation of former security sites such as the Maze can have for the whole of Northern Ireland. However, what we are opposed to is the intention to build as a stand-alone development the Peace Building and Conflict Resolution Centre’ on this divisive site. Let’s not forget this is the site where perpetrators of acts of terrorism were sent as punishment. It is without doubt to the Ulster Unionist Party that the proposals for this centre are offensive to many victims and survivors of the Troubles and the backlash from victims to the location of this Centre at the Maze site is evidence of this. I would stress that we are not opposed to the concept of a Peace Building Centre but we do not want to see it built on such a divisive site.’
“The original proposals for the Maze site included a multi-party sports stadium, a rural excellence and equestrian zone including an international exhibition centre and show grounds, offices hotel and leisure village, creation of up to 4000 jobs, a community zone, high quality new housing, parkland and landscaping and new highway and public transport. The proposals we have now, which are solely on the Conflict Resolution Centre, are very different to what was outlined at the outset for the Maze site and this is testament to the failure of OFMdFM in this respect.’
“I had also specifically asked for details of the €20 million funding application which was made by OFMdFM to the SEUPB for the Centre to be made available. It is disappointing that it took the Ulster Unionist Party to outline our concerns by way of a Private Members Motion before the First Minster agreed to make the funding application available. This is unacceptable from the First Minister and deputy First Minister and leads me to question what he is trying to hide.’