Shamefully, Maze Shrine Still on Track
08 April 2009
Statement by TUV Leader Jim Allister MEP
Today’s announcement by OFMDFM about the Maze Site, which regularises the abandonment of the stadium idea, is most significant for its reaffirmation of commitment to development which will still facilitate the Maze shrine. By declaring their intention
• to maximise the “historical and reconciliation potential of the site”
• to build on the work previously done by the Consultation Panel (which came up with the Shrine idea)
• to have “regard to all the elements of the site including any listed buildings”,
it is crystal clear that the Joint First Ministers are still wedded to an end result which will facilitate the glorification of terrorism. So much for the deceptive spin from Simon Hamilton and others that all such aspects had been abandoned. If that were so, then there would be no talk of maximising its “historical and reconciliation potential”, nor of having regard to the “listed buildings”. Instead, these ugly buildings would be delisted and immediately demolished, as I have long called for.
So this statement, taken with the response to the EU Task Force report makes it clear to me that the Maze is still the intended site for the so called “Conflict Resolution Centre” – official speak for the Maze Shrine.
