Lunn – DUP procrastination over Maze has led to loss of European funding

Alliance Lagan Valley MLA Trevor Lunn has said that Peter Robinson and the DUP should be blamed for the decision by the Special European Programmes Body to withdraw its offer of £18million in financial support for the development of a peace centre at the Maze. It may be difficult for this money to be redirected to other projects. In August this year, the DUP Leader made a U-turn on his party’s support for the peace centre.

Trevor Lunn MLA said: “I am disappointed but not surprised that the Special European Programmes Body has withdrawn this funding.

“The blame must be directed to the DUP and Peter Robinson, whose procrastination has led to this situation. It was a cowardly move by Peter Robinson to make this U-turn while he was in America. This example of weak leadership has now resulted in a major development opportunity being lost that would have created a large number of jobs and been a big boost to our struggling construction sector. The public deserves more than this type of petty politics.

“Northern Ireland now risks the possibility of losing £18million of investment as it will be difficult to redirect this money to other projects within the given time frame.”

ENDS